VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Psychological Functioning Following Violence: An Examination of Posttraumatic Growth, Distress, and Hope among Interpersonal Violence Survivors
Keywords: Trauma
Interpersonal violence
Psychological functioning
Posttraumatic growth
Distress
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Depression
Hope

Trauma research has been predominantly focused on the study of the negative psychological sequelae of traumatic experience. Recently, however, increased empirical attention has been paid to the potential for positive changes, or posttraumatic growth, derived from survivors’ struggle with trauma. There is evidence accumulating in support of this phenomenon following various types of traumatic events. Using an online, cross-sectional design, the present study examined posttraumatic growth among 143 survivors of interpersonal violence. Furthermore, the relationship between posttraumatic growth and the severity of psychological distress symptoms, as well as between growth and hope was explored. Results indicated that the severity of depressive symptoms was negatively related to growth, while the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and hope were found to positively predict growth. Associations between posttraumatic growth and demographic and interpersonal violence characteristics did not emerge. The potential implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Spatial Patterns of Zooplankton and Water Currents Near the Confluence of Two Major Fetches in Lake Opeongo,Ontario
Keywords: Zooplankton
Spatial patterns
Water currents
Lake Opeongo
Moving Split Window

This study combines Optical Plankton Counter data on zooplankton abundance and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler data on water currents to test hypotheses about spatial zooplankton distributions near a major point of land affecting local wind and water current patterns. Data were collected by repeatedly sampling a 2 km linear transect in the South Arm of Lake Opeongo, Ontario, Canada during July, 2008. Moving Split Window techniques were used to identify breakpoints in both zooplankton biomass concentration and a measure of water turbulence, and confirmed an effect of the topographic feature on local zooplankton distributions. Using additional data collected in 2001 and 2003, zooplankton abundance distributions were also tested under three wind speed ranges predicted from physical principles to correspond to varying stability of the water column. Significant differences were found in the variability and patch sizes of the distributions, indicating the importance of wind speeds on zooplankton patchiness.
Japan's Colonized Other: A Case Study of the Media Representations on the Deportation of a Filipino Family
Keywords: Japan
media representation
Filipinos
irregular residents
advocacy
archaeology of knowledge

This research investigates Japanese society's gaze towards those former colonized subjects, who now reside in Japan as foreign residents. More specifically, it explores the representations, in two leading Japanese newspapers and a popular internet discussion board, of a Filipino family facing deportation in 2009. Using Foucault's archaeology of knowledge as the main analytical framework, it examines emergent and silenced discourses in each media. While the newspapers generally reported in favour of the family, they often unintentionally constructed the child as innocent, and the parents as illegal. The internet discussion board tended to depict the family as criminals. By silencing the colonial history between the Philippines and Japan, both media outlets have failed to address the continuing neo-colonial relationships between the two nations. In conclusion, the various implications of this research on the strategies advocating citizenship rights of irregular residents are examined, by applying anti-oppressive education frameworks to the research findings.
The Buddhalakshana
Keywords: Sanskrit
Buddhism

The physical representation of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) is characterized by some thirty-two uncommon attributes that are described in the Lalitavistara as the marks of a great man. The origin of these attributes, whether they are actual physical observations, of symbolic origin or a combination is unclear. In various art forms depicting the Buddha, he is usually shown with some but not all of these attributes. We have examined the origin of these physical attributes, by considering what is known of similarly described physical variations in humans (both congenital and acquired) and by examining the Sanskrit medical texts, such as the Sushruta-Samhita and the Charaka-Samhita, for descriptions of these and similar attributes. It is plausible that the observation of most of these thirty-two uncommon physical attributes might well have been accumulated over centuries as a result of contact by observers with various afflicted persons. It is kept in mind that the Buddha is described as physically well endowed and healthy, while the occurrence of the physical attributes themselves are sought in disorders. The concept of the physical marks of a great man, having been formulated in an earlier period, is applied to the image of the Buddha himself.
Coaxial Cable Equalization Techniques at 50-110 Gbps
Keywords: Equalizer
ICs
SiGe BiCMOS
Retimer
Variable gain amplifier
high-speed ICs
Gbps
jitter

Next generation communication systems are reaching 110Gbps rates. At these frequencies, the skin effect and dielectric loss of copper cables cause inter-symbol interference (ISI) and frequency dependent loss, severely limiting the channel bandwidth. In this thesis, different methods for alleviating ISI are explored. The design of the critical blocks of an adaptive channel equalizer with up to two times oversampling are presented. The circuits were fabricated in a 0.13μm SiGe BiCMOS technology. The linear, adaptive equalizer operates up to 70Gbps and its measured S-parameters exhibit a single-ended peak gain of 12.2dB at 52GHz, allowing for 31dB of peaking between DC and 52GHz. Equalization is demonstrated experimentally at 59Gbps for a cable loss of 17.9dB. These results make it the fastest receive equalizer published to date. A retiming flip-flop operating between 72 and 118 GHz, the highest reported in silicon, is also designed and characterized, showing less than 500-fs jitter.
Influence of Length of Time to Diagnosis and Treatment on the Survival of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Hodgkin Disease: A Population-based Study
Keywords: Pediatrics
Oncology

Introduction: Objectives were to describe time intervals between presentation to a tertiary care center, diagnosis and treatment in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Hodgkin disease (HD), and measure their impact on overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). Methods: Children in POGONIS (Pediatric Oncology group of Ontario Networked Information System) with ALL or HD from 1997-2007 were eligible. Time intervals were dichotomized at clinically defined cut-points. OS and EFS were examined with univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards (CPH) models. Results: In ALL, in multivariable analysis, those with treatment > 3 days after diagnosis had inferior OS (adjHR=2.49; 95%CI 1.4-4.43;p=0.002), and inferior EFS (adjHR=1.73; 95%CI 1.01-2.96;p=0.047). In HD, in multivariable analysis, those with treatment > 7 days after diagnosis had superior EFS (adjHR=0.37; 95%CI 0.18-0.77;p=0.008). Conclusions: Time to treatment is associated with survival in ALL and HD. Future research will further delineate the relationship between time to treatment and outcome.
Perioperative Process Improvement using Discrete Event Simulation
Keywords: simulation
perioperative process

A discrete event simulation was applied to model the perioperative process in the general surgery service at Toronto General Hospital, aiming at reducing the number of surgical cancellations and improving the perioperative process. This model includes emergency case interruptions with two types of emergency cases with different levels of urgency, and takes into account the availability of three types of post-surgical beds: medical surgical intensive care unit, step-down unit and ward beds in decision making level. The effect of three types of scenarios on the number of surgical cancellations was explored: 1) applying effective scheduling rules based on the utilization of post-surgical beds, 2) sequencing the surgical operations based on the length of surgeries and the variance of surgery durations, 3) increasing the number of post-surgical beds.
The Trimentoring Program: A study of a Unique Mentoring Program to Engage Students
Keywords: post secondary education
Race and first generation students

This research project explores the Tri-mentoring Program’s impact on enhancing the student experience, specifically for the new emerging population of racialized and first generation undergraduate students in a Canadian urban university. The study examines how the TMP model attempts to address these students’ unique challenges by creating a holistic student experience, that acknowledges and addresses their lived experiences; encourages them to retain their racial/cultural identities (and values) and external community commitments and beliefs; and facilitates them becoming more empowered and engaged on campus. This research also contributes to the production of knowledge in the area of student engagement. This study introduces and validates the voices and lived experiences of racialized students into the literature, which will be valuable in the future development of new models of student engagement where power is shared and indigenous knowledge and epistemologies are valued- leading to a more engaged and successful student experience.
The Production of a Potential Feedstock for Biodiesel using Water and Isopropyl Alcohol to Extract Yellow Mustard Oil
Keywords: Biodiesel
Feedstock
Yellow Mustard Oil
Extraction
Isopropyl Alcohol
Water
Emulsion

The aim of this project was to produce a potential feedstock for biodiesel by developing a process to extract oil from yellow mustard seeds using aqueous and isopropyl alcohol extraction. The aqueous extraction of yellow mustard flour was performed at pH 11 using 4:1 water to flour ratio and constant stirring at room temperature for 30min, with a second washing stage. Oil was separated as oil-in-water emulsion with 37% oil recovery from the flour. The oil in the emulsion was then extracted with isopropyl alcohol. Single and multiple stage extractions were evaluated and the optimal conditions were four-stage extraction at 2:1 IPA:Oil weight ratio, with 96.3% oil recovery from the emulsion. A preliminary evaluation of the final solution of isopropyl alcohol, water and yellow mustard oil concluded that it is indeed a potential feedstock for biodiesel, however it needs to be further processed to meet optimal conditions for transesterification.
Identification of a Carboxysomal γ-Carbonic Anhydrase in the Mesophilic Cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120
Keywords: Cyanobacteria
Carbonic anhydrase
Anabaena PCC7120
CcmM
Carboxysome
Carbon dioxide concentrating mechanism

Analysis of the genome of Anabaena sp. PCC7120 reveals that it lacks the gene, ccaA, which encodes the bonafide carboxysomal, β-class carbonic anhydrase (CA) CcaA. However, the carboxysome enriched fraction of Anabaena PCC7120 exhibits CA activity. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that the N-terminal region of the carboxysome protein CcmM has high sequence and structural similarity to the γ-class CA of Methanosarcina thermophila. Recombinantly expressed CcmM is found to be inactive in in-vitro CA assays. E. coli cell extracts containing an overexpressed form of CcmM comprised of the N-terminal 209 amino acids (CcmM209) are also inactive. However, CcmM209 displays CA activity after incubation with the thiol oxidizing agent diamide or when bound to an affinity matrix. It appears that CcmM is indeed a functional γ-CA which is active under oxidizing condition. It is hypothesized that the C-terminal RbcS like domain in CcmM may regulate activity by allowing CcmM activation only when sequestered within the carboxysome.
Psychological Debriefing of Workplace Trauma: A Case Study of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Keywords: psychological
debriefing
workplace
trauma
PTSD
lost time

Mental stress resulting from a traumatic event in the workplace has a noteworthy impact on employees. Psychological debriefing is offered to TTC employees as a means of immediate trauma support, however, the usefulness of the intervention is unknown. This thesis explores the debriefing intervention using a mixed methods approach. TTC employees who have experienced a traumatic event were recruited. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom development and time lost from work were compared between debriefed and not debriefed employees. In addition, purposively selected employees were qualitatively interviewed. The quantitative analysis showed no significant differences in PTSD symptomatology or lost time from work between the groups. Despite these results, however, employees who were debriefed had an overall positive perception of the intervention. Further exploration in this area of study would be beneficial to not only the TTC, but to all workplaces at high risk of exposure to traumatic events.
The Effect of Helicobacter pylori on Innate Immunity
Keywords: H. pylori
Immunity
STAT3
Dendritic Cell
Autophagy
VacA
ROS
Parkin

The innate immune system is important in both acute and chronic infection. In this thesis, I investigated the effect of H. pylori infection on 1) DCs, key orchestrators of the immune system, and 2) autophagy, recently identified as an important component of innate immunity. I determined that H. pylori activates the STAT3 pathway in DCs, increasing DC maturation and inducing production of IL-10, IL-12p40 and TNF-α, without IL-12p70. This cytokine profile may favour an immunoregulatory response, promoting persistent H. pylori infection. In addition I determined that H. pylori’s VacA toxin induced autophagy, ROS production and Parkin aggregation which has been implicated in mediating autophagy in response to mitochondrial damage. Thus H. pylori alters these key effectors of innate immunity which may play a role in promoting its chronic infection and disease.
Balancing Risk-taking and Safety Among Patients, Families, and Clinicians During Transitions in Care from Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Keywords: Patient safety
Patient autonomy

This study examines the factors that influence how patients, families, and clinicians make decisions about risk-taking and safety in brain injury rehabilitation. Despite the importance of these decisions, particularly during transitions in care, there is scant literature to help guide these care partners in ethical and clinical decision-making related to risk-taking and safety. This study suggests that there are tensions between rehabilitation and patient safety efforts. Risk-taking lies at the core of brain injury rehabilitation; however, decisions about risk-taking are also influenced by conflicting values, system pressures, and patient abilities. A relational approach to autonomy that addresses patients’ decisional and functional abilities within their social contexts is more nuanced than a liberal individualist approach to autonomy, and provides a better framework for understanding decision-making. Relational autonomy may help clinicians make decisions that better balance risk-taking and safety, decisions that are committed to the principles of respecting autonomy and advancing safety.
Comparison of hr-pQCT & MRTA to DXA & QUS for the Ex-vivo Assessment of Bone Strength
Keywords: bone strength
osteoporosis
bone quality
hr-pQCT
DXA
emu model

There is a pressing need for better assessment of bone strength as current clinical tools do not directly measure bone mechanical properties, but offer only surrogate measures of bone strength. We conducted an ex-vivo study of emu bones to examine how two investigative devices, hr-pQCT and MRTA, compare to current clinical tools (DXA and QUS) in predicting true bone mechanical properties. We found that hr-pQCT parameters were able to assess bone strength as well as DXA and better than QUS, while MRTA was able to predict bone strength well in low-density but not high-density bones. Our results suggest that both hr-pQCT, which has the unique ability to specifically assess the various determinants of bone strength, and MRTA, which measures a bone mechanical property (stiffness), have great potential for use as clinical tools that can assess various components of bone strength not measured by current devices.
An Integrated Segmented Gate Driver with Adjustable Driving Capability for Efficiency Optimization
Keywords: Gate Driver
Adjustable Driving Capability

A novel gate driver design is proposed to improve the conversion efficiency of DC-DC converters. Conventional gate drivers provide a fixed gate driving strength (capability) over the entire output load range. However, it is demonstrated that to optimize the overall conversion efficiency, the driving capability of the gate driver circuit should be adjusted according to the loading condition. The proposed segmented gate driver consists of 8 parallel driver segments that can be turned on/off allowing the power consumption of the gate driver circuit to be dynamically adjusted. The post layout simulation results in high voltage TSMC 0.25µm CMOS process shows that up to 7% improvement in the efficiency can be achieved. Furthermore, in addition to efficiency improvements, a 60% reduction in the ringing and overshoot/undershoot was observed. An integrated segmented gate driver IC designed for AMSP35HV process was submitted for fabrication with the support from CMC.
Connecting with the Global Garment Industry: Can Ethical Consumption Promote Sustainability?
Keywords: ecofeminism
ecosocialism
ethical consumption
fashion
garment industry
globalization
industrialization
institutional ethnography
sustainability

In the globalized garment industry (GGI) most clothing is involved in complex networks that exploit both people and the environment. This system is unsustainable yet supported by Canadian consumers, who have become disconnected from their clothing’s production and disposal processes as a result of the development of increasingly complex social and technological systems since the Industrial Revolution. Canadians currently learn about the industry from public portrayals in which the dominant messages are designed by corporations promoting consumption. Nevertheless, growing numbers of consumers are realizing that this system is unsustainable and attempting to take action. This study uses methods based on institutional ethnography to explore the challenges faced by Canadians trying to engage in ethical consumption. Promoting sustainability is seen as requiring broad structural change, which can be supported by individual Canadians seeking to learn about the industry and working with its global stakeholders to build the civil commons.
Access to Dental Care for a Selected Group of Children and Adolescents with ASD
Keywords: ASD
autism spectrum disorder

Objectives: 1) to determine if children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encounter difficulties accessing dental, 2) to identify barriers that diminish access to dental care for this population. Methods: This descriptive study is based on a web-survey conducted at the Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto between November 2008 and March 2009. Forty-nine multiple choice questions including open-ended fields were developed. Parents of children with ASD (ages 5–18) completed the survey. Results: The majority of participants visited a dentist regularly (71%) and had private dental insurance (64%). Parents/caregivers were more likely to have difficulties finding a dentist as unmarried parents (OR=3.7, P=0.075) or when their level of education was high school/less (OR=10.4, P=0.043). Conclusions: The majority of children/adolescents with ASD had access to dental care. Difficulties accessing dental care were related to family structure, parents’ education and their perception of dentists’ knowledge of ASD.
Simulation of Flexible Aircraft
Keywords: Simulation
Flexible
Deformable
Flight Dynamics

This study aims to improve flight simulation of flexible aircraft. More specifically, this thesis concentrates on comparing two flexible aircraft flight simulation models. Both modeling techniques considered use the same aircraft structural and aerodynamic data provided by the aircraft manufacturer. Simulation models were developed and tested using a number of control inputs in both longitudinal and lateral dimensions. Time history responses from the simulations were compared. The effect of increasing the flexibility of the aircraft model was also studied on both models. It was found that the two models produce very similar results for the original aircraft stiffness case. However, the lateral response of the two models diverges as the stiffness is lowered. A number of recommendations are made for further testing and research, based on the conclusions of the study.
Neuroplastic Changes During Auditory Perceptual Learning Over Multiple Practice Sessions Within and Between Days
Keywords: Perceptual learning
Auditory evoked field
Human
Cognition
Vowel
Speech
Hearing
Sleep
MEG

This study investigated the neuroplastic changes that accompany speech identification training using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Participants completed three practice sessions over two consecutive days. In the morning group, practice occurred in the morning and evening of the first day, and in the morning of the next day; whereas, in the evening group, practice occured in the evening of the first day, and in the morning and evening of the second day. In both groups, behavioural improvement between the first session and last session was comparable. Neuromagnetic data showed practice-related changes in N1m amplitude between the first and last sessions. A time-of-day (TOD) of practice effect was found for P2m mean amplitude. In both groups, P2m-related changes with practice were greater when consecutive sessions occurred between days than within a day. The results are consistent with the proposal that task-related changes in the P2m wave are an index of perceptual learning.
Collagen Glycation Promotes Myofibroblast Differentiation
Keywords: Collagen
Diabetes

The incidence of cardiomyopathy and cardiac fibrosis is markedly increased in patients with diabetes mellitus. As cardiac fibrosis is mediated by myofibroblasts, we investigated the effect of diabetes-associated collagen glycation on the conversion of cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. Collagen glycation was modeled by the glucose metabolite, methylglyoxal (MGO). Cells cultured on MGO-treated collagen exhibited increased activity of the α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) promoter, elevated levels of collagen I, α-SMA mRNA, and enhanced protein expression of α-SMA, ED-A fibronectin and cadherins. Increased expression of α-SMA was dependent on β1 integrins and on TGF-β. In collagen gel assays, MGO-collagen promoted faster contraction and cell migration was increased by MGO-collagen. In shear-force detachment assays, cells on MGO-collagen were less adherent, and β1 integrin activation and focal adhesion formation were inhibited. We conclude that collagen glycation augments the formation and migration of myofibroblasts, critical processes in the development of cardiac fibrosis in diabetes.