VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Transgressing Heteronormativity in Militarism: Sexual Diversity in the Canadian Forces
Keywords: Canadian Forces
Gender
Homosexuality
LGBT
Masculinity
Military

This intent of this thesis is to probe deep into hidden and rigid structures, which regulate gender and sexual minorities in the Canadian Forces. We will see the development of hegemonic military masculinity from its early stages in nation building to its currant gender and sexual structures in a post-911 era. My personal narrative experiences as a radicalised, sexual minority in the Canadian Forces provided me a point of departure in understanding the underlying lived experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) service members. In preparing this thesis current serving members, Defence offices, and leading academics were investigated, LGBTQ legislation and military policies were researched, and case study interviews were conducted in order to understand the key and underlining structures, which regulate gender and sexual identity in the Canadian Forces.
Investigating Novel Interactors of Mammalian Fat and Dachsous cadherins
Keywords: Dachsous
Fat
mass spectrometry
polarity
spindle orientation

Fat and Dachsous family cadherins are large transmembrane proteins involved in regulating tissue growth and polarity processes. However, exactly how Fat and Dachsous (Dchs) function in these processes in mammals remains a source of uncertainty. To augment our understanding of how mammalian Fat and Dchs act in these pathways, I generated stable, tetracycline-inducible HEK293 T-REx cell lines expressing tagged deletion constructs of various Fat and Dchs homologs to be used as bait in mass spectrometry experiments. I used a proteomic screening approach to identify novel mammalian Fat and Dchs interactors via affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry and BioID mass spectrometry, in collaboration with Dr. Brian Raught at the Ontario Cancer Institute. Datasets for the Fat homologs Fat1, Fat4, and the Dachsous homologs Dchs1 and Dchs2 revealed interesting potential interactors such as Par3. My work describes my efforts to characterize the Fat4-Par3 interaction and to confirm selected mass spectrometry hits.
Sub-micron Water Droplet Formation in Bitumen Froth via Tip Streaming
Keywords: Capillary number
Microfluidics
Oil sands
Sub-micron water drops
Tip streaming

Processes such as centrifugation and inclined settling are currently used to achieve the separation of water and solids from bitumen froth in the oil-sands industry. They are, however, ineffective in removing sub-micron water droplets, which can constitute a significant fraction of the residual water content in bitumen after separation. Through the work presented in this thesis, we experimentally demonstrated a hydrodynamic breakup process, tip streaming, as the primary mechanism for sub-micron water droplet formation in bitumen solution. In a first-of-its-kind study, a glass-based microfluidic platform was developed to perform experiments with concentrated bitumen solutions and visually demonstrate the breakup process. Fine threads, ~ 1.43 µm diameter, of the aqueous phase were generated during tip streaming for capillary number between 0.5 and 1. In view of this finding, similar experiments were performed to explore the effect of certain industrially relevant parameters: process water pH, solvent aromaticity, bitumen dilution and surface-active species concentration. Naphthenic amphiphiles were found to be the dominant surface-active species leading to tip streaming. The drop breakup trends generated here for various process conditions will potentially serve as the basis for future tip streaming studies with model oil - water - surfactant system and drop-drop coalescence studies.
A Chair Embedded with Capacitive Electorcardiography (ECG) for Non-obstructive Cardiac Health Monitoring in the Home Setting
Keywords: Capacitive Sensing
Chair
Electrocardiography
Health Monitor
Homecare

Canada is faced with an ageing population, which requires long term health monitoring. Capacitive electrocardiography (ECG) is considered a viable method of non-obstructive heart condition monitoring, detecting ECG without directly attaching an electrode to the body. In this study, a capacitive ECG chair is designed, implemented and verified. Furthermore, extensive experiments were conducted to evaluate the output signal quality in various situations. These experiments shed light on the impacts of different design parameters (such as electrode size, separation distance and orientation) and clothing condition (such as clothing material and thickness) on the output signal quality. Additionally, the sources of motion artifacts are identified and their influences on the ECG signal are studied.
Hybrid Magnetic Attitude Control of Spacecraft: Optimality, Passivity, and Stability
Keywords: Hybrid Magnetic Attitude Control
Hybrid Stability Analysis
Optimal Control
Passivity-Based Control
Spacecraft Dynamics and Control

Hybrid spacecraft attitude control schemes that combine magnetic torques with impulsive thrusting in an optimal or passive manner are developed. The optimal controller uses a hybrid linear quadratic regulator formulation, while explicitly accounting for a priori estimates of the disturbances. Previous results on optimal impulse timing are extended to remain valid under disturbance accommodation, and the special case of a multi-orbit mission with repeating impulse patterns is considered. The passivity-based approach relies on a hybrid and time-varying extension of Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov conditions, and judiciously designs the output dynamics to guarantee passivity of the plant and stability of the closed-loop system subject to sufficiently small disturbances. Lastly, input/output stability of the disturbance-accommodating controller and Lyapunov stability of the passive controller are studied by introducing a hybrid state transition matrix. Extensions of the classical Floquet theory and its counterpart for inhomogeneous systems provide stability analysis tools for the proposed hybrid controllers.
The Role of Reelin in Human Neutrophil Peptide-induced Endothelial Dysfunction and Platelet Aggregation
Keywords: HNP
Neutrophils
Reelin
Endothelial dysfunction
Platelet aggregation

Introduction: Human neutrophil peptides (HNP) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We have shown that HNP-induced platelet aggregation was abolished in the absence of low density lipoprotein-related protein-8 (LRP8), a receptor for the extracellular matrix protein reelin. Hypothesis: The HNP-induced endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation is mediated by reelin. Methods: Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were stimulated with HNP to assess reelin protein expression and release. A reelin neutralizing antibody was used to assess endothelial function and platelet aggregation after HNP stimulation. Results: HNP induced reelin protein expression and release in HCAEC. The stimulation of recombinant mouse reelin resulted in oxidative stress and decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase in HCAEC, and platelet aggregation in human platelets. The HNP-induced endothelial dysfunction and platelet responses were attenuated by using a reelin neutralizing antibody. Conclusion: HNP induce endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation mediated by the reelin-LRP8 signal pathway.
Experimental Characterization of the Effects of Freestream Turbulence Intensity on the SD7003 Airfoil at Low Reynolds Numbers
Keywords: Aerodynamics
Low Reynolds
Turbulence
UAV

The effect of freestream turbulence intensities ranging from Tu = 1.26% to Tu = 3.2% is studied. Skin friction measurements made on the surface of the airfoil using oil film interferometry (OFI) show that, in general, the effect of the increased Tu is to inhibit separation of the laminar boundary layer. With increased Tu, the near-wall flow experiences strong deceleration in the adverse pressure gradient, but does not reverse as it does in the baseline case where Tu = 0.05%. The Cp distribution resulting from this decelerated fluid is similar in appearance to that of a laminar separation bubble. OFI results also show that laminar separation initiates a more rapid transition process than does higher turbulence intensity: transition of the boundary layer occurs over a shorter distance with Tu = 1.26% than it does with Tu = 2.19% due to the presence of a LSB at the lower turbulence intensity.
A Novel 3D Co-culture Tumour Model for Head and Neck Cancer
Keywords: 3D model
Cancer-associated fibroblasts
Co-Culture
Head and Neck Cancer

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major part of the tumour microenvironment and have been shown to play an important role in the progression of cancer. To probe the tumour-stroma interactions, we incorporated CAFs and squamous carcinoma cells of the hypopharynx (FaDu cells) into the Tissue Roll for the Analysis of Cellular Environment and Response (TRACER) platform to simulate a section of a head and neck tumour. We optimized the seeding densities and stacking configurations of the CAF and FaDu cell tissue sections to enable a robust 3D co-culture system under normoxic conditions. Although co-culture of CAFs with FaDu cells produced negligible effects on radiation resistance, increases in proliferation rate and cell migration at 24 and 48 h of culture were observed. Our study provides the basis for use of our in vitro co-culture model to investigate the tumour-stroma interactions and to assess treatment response as a drug screening tool.
Genome-wide Mapping and Analysis of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor (AHRR) Bound Regions in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells
Keywords: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR)
Aryl hydrocarbon response element (AHRE)
Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq)
dioxin
DNA binding

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor best known for mediating the toxic actions of environmental contaminants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) is an AHR regulated gene and a negative regulator of AHR. Although the mechanism of AHRR-dependent repression of AHR is not clear, one of the proposed mechanisms is through direct competition or interaction with AHR at DNA sequences termed aryl hydrocarbon response elements (AHREs). This thesis aimed to compare the genome-wide binding profiles of AHR and AHRR in MCF-7 cells treated for 24 h with 10nM TCDD using ChIP-seq. Although AHRE was overrepresented in both AHR- and AHRR-bound regions, AHRR was shown to bind closer promoter regions than AHR. AHR- or AHRR-independent regulations of the identified genes were also confirmed. This work is the first genome-wide mapping of AHRR-bound regions which provides insight into potential novel functions for AHRR.
Induction of the Rat Hepatic Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator by Glucocorticoids
Keywords: aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator
glucocorticoid receptor
glucocorticoids
pregnane X receptor
rat
signaling pathway

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) nuclear translocator (ARNT), a partner in the hypoxia and AHR signaling pathways, is induced in rat liver by dexamethasone (DEX), a steroid that activates the glucocorticoid (GR) and pregnane X (PXR) receptors. I conducted in vivo rat studies to examine the roles of GR and PXR in ARNT regulation. A selective GR agonist or a low DEX dose activating GR but not PXR increased hepatic levels of ARNT mRNA and an unidentified ARNT antibody-reactive protein (UAARP). The trend for increased ARNT protein levels required high DEX doses activating GR and PXR. A GR antagonist prevented the induction of ARNT mRNA and UAARP levels by low-dose DEX and the increased ARNT protein levels by high-dose DEX. DEX-induced ARNT mRNA and protein levels did not differ between wild-type and PXR-knockout rats. These results support a role for GR in the DEX induction of rat hepatic ARNT expression.
Analysis of Tc1/mariner Transposable Element Protein Localization in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Genome-wide de novo Classification of Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Elements in Brassica rapa
Keywords: bioinformatics
DNA
genome
mobile DNA
transposable elements

Transposable elements (TEs) are segments of mobile DNA that have infiltrated genomes at significant levels.Tc1/mariner is a superfamily of class II TEs widespread in plants. Osmar elements are TEs previously shown to cross-mobilize small non-autonomous elements. Specifically, Osmar14 autonomous (Osmar14A) will cross-mobilize Stowaway MITEs (miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements). In a yeast transposition assay that Osmar14A displays decreased transposition when the nuclear export signal of the protein is mutated. A novel protein localization system has been devised that allows for protein visualization of fluorescently tagged proteins, such as Osmar14A. Additionally, a de novo analysis of miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements in Brassica rapa resulted in classification of 85 MITE families, corresponding to Tc1/mariner, hAT, CACTA and piggyBac. Classification of MITEs and TEs, such as Osmar14A is important for it allows for the development of genetic tools, as well as an understanding of the mechanisms behind hyperactive TEs, such as Osmar14A.
Understanding and Safely Predicting the Shear Response of Large-scale Reinforced Concrete Structures
Keywords: Deep Beam
Failure
Reinforced Concrete
Shear
Structure
Thick Slab

Infrastructure commonly built today incorporates very thick reinforced concrete members that serve as critical elements in the load-carrying system of the structure. Certain design codes specify that members such as mat foundations and transfer slabs in high-rise buildings can be designed without shear reinforcement, allowing for more economical constructability. Omission of shear reinforcement results in structures being susceptible to the well-established size effect, and thus prone to brittle shear failures. The research comprised in this thesis focuses on investigating the applicability of international design codes in predicting the shear strength of very thick concrete members. To this end, a specimen representing a 4 m thick slab strip and a 300 mm thick companion strip were constructed and tested to failure. Results from the experimental program support the recommendation to use at least minimum shear reinforcement in large-scale structures to yield safe designs.
miR-142-3p Directly Regulates Autophagy Dependent Gene ATG16L1
Keywords: ATG16L1
Autophagy
Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
microRNA
miR-142-3p

Numerous genome-wide association studies demonstrate that a variant in the autophagy-dependent gene ATG16L1 is associated with Crohn's Disease (CD). miRNA regulation has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease. miRNA bind to the complementary 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the target mRNA to repress their translation and promote their degradation. Here we investigated the functional effect of miR-142-3p on ATG16L1 and autophagy. HeLa and HCT116 cells were transfected with either a miR-142-3p mimic or antagonist and qPCR for ATG16L1 and western blotting was performed. In comparison to control cells, a decrease in ATG16L1 transcripts was detected in cells transfected with the miR-142-3p mimic. A reduction in ATG16L1 and LC3-II protein level was also seen in immunoblots. Taken together, these results indicate that miR-142- 3p can directly regulate ATG16L1 and repress autophagy, implicating miRNA regulation in the pathogenesis of CD.
Complement Regulation on Vascular Endothelial Cells—Insights into the Pathogenesis of Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Keywords: Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
CD46/Membrane Cofactor Protein
Complement
Endothelium
Thrombotic microangiopathy
von Willebrand Factor

AbstractAtypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) that occurs due to defective regulation of the alternative complement pathway (AP). We developed a novel model system using Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells (BOEC), whereby the response of these cells to complement challenge could be examined under static and microfluidic conditions, in order to study aHUS pathogenesis. Complete blockade of the membrane-anchored, AP regulator CD46/MCP, associated with disease in patients, was insufficient to cause an ex vivo TMA phenotype. Increasing `complement challenge', mimicking additional genetic `hits' in complement regulation achieved the phenotype. In addition, using BOEC from patients lacking von Willebrand Factor (vWF), a hemostatic protein released from activated endothelial cells, we showed that contrary to current opinion, vWF does not amplify complement, rather regulates it. The paucity of vWF in the glomerular endothelium could explain the vulnerability of the kidney to loss of complement control in aHUS.
Representative Post-stall Modeling of T-tailed Regional Jets and Turboprops for Upset Recovery Training
Keywords: Representative Modeling
Stall
Training

Loss-of-control resulting from airplane upset is a leading cause of worldwide commercial aircraft accidents. In order to provide pilots with sufficient stall recovery training using ground simulators, flight models will need to be improved. In this thesis, a methodology for generating a generic representative post-stall aircraft model is developed. Current type specific post-stall models are too expensive to generate, and are not practical for routine training. The representative model offers a much cheaper way to train crew for upset conditions, at the same time providing sufficiently realistic cues seen in an upset condition. The methodology provides a foundation for generating full scale representative models using wind tunnel data and physics-based approaches. An example of applying the methodology to predict stall regime aircraft behavior is provided for one aerodynamic coefficient.
Generation of Human Synthetic Antibodies against Frizzled-7 Receptor
Keywords: Frizzled
High-throughput screening
monoclonal antibodies
phage display
Synthetic antibody
Wnt

Antibodies are the fastest growing class of therapeutic agents, capable of targeting diseased phenotypes with high affinity and specificity. Phage display technology was strategically utilized to screen through 10^10 potential binders against Frizzled-7 receptor. Specifically, cell-based selection was performed to capture epitopes in their physiological state, and five unique single-chain antibodies that show differential binding profiles were generated. The antibodies' ability to bind to and detect the target protein was verified using various molecular technics. Importantly, one of the five antibodies is able to recognize an extracellular region outside of the previously targeted cysteine-rich domain, and its ability to pull down the Frizzled-7 was observed by western blotting. As Frizzled-7 is involved in the WNT signalling pathway, which is highly implicated in tumorigenesis, further investigation of the biological role and the therapeutic potential of these antibodies is warranted.
Layout Optimisation of (In)GaN LEDs for High Brightness Applications
Keywords: gallium nitride
layout geometry
light emitting diode
luminous efficiency

Since the development of the first high-brightness blue light emitting diode (LED), LED technology has gained a significant market share in residential, commercial, and medical applications. A major reason for its growing popularity is the LED's capacity for high luminous efficiency (LE), and consequent low operating cost. This thesis focuses on a comparative study of layout-oriented design considerations in optimising the LE of blue-emitting indium-activated gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs. Specifically, we propose layout geometries which maximise luminous efficiency by improving device resistance and current uniformity. We study variations on square, interdigitated, and multipixel array geometries across devices with side-lengths ranging from 250um to 1400um. We observe a logarithmic improvement on luminous efficiency when perimeter length to active area ratio is increased across all device sizes. The issue of contact quality is expected to be a limiting factor to the scalability of this trend.
DNA Methylation of Endothelial Cell-enriched Genes during in Vitro Mouse ES Cell Differentiation and the Role of TET Proteins
Keywords: DNA methylation
Endothelial cells
ES cells
TET proteins

Endothelial cell (EC)-enriched genes are regulated by numerous mechanisms, but especially epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. The current work examines the importance of TET1 and 2 in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells and their relevance to EC-enriched gene expression. The proximal promoters of EC-enriched genes are differentially methylated in expressing versus non-expressing cell types. To examine how this methylation pattern between EC and non-EC is established, we studied ES cells. The DNA methylation pattern was heterogeneous, and partially propagated to daughter cells upon cell division. When in vitro differentiating WT and TET1 and 2 double knockout (DKO) ES cells, the DNA methylation of EC-enriched gene promoters increases at day 4 and day 7 in both cell lines. Despite their hypermenthylation at day 7, EC- enriched gene expression increases in the WT cells but it is blunted in the DKO cells. Suggesting that TET1 and 2 presence in ES cells facilitate the activation of EC-enriched genes later in development.
The Role of Annexin A4 in Response to Biomechanical and Ischemic Insult
Keywords: actin
ANXA4
calcium
glaucoma
membrane

Glaucoma is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) is commonly observed in glaucoma patients and can exert biomechanical and ischemic insults on the optic nerve head (ONH) resulting in astrocyte reactivity, cytoskeletal dysfunction, and loss of structural support to RGC axons. Proteomic analysis of human ONH astrocytes revealed an increase of Annexin A4 (ANXA4) following application of a pathologically relevant biomechanical stress. The function of ANXA4 is unknown in the retina but members of this family have been implicated in membrane repair processes that involve interactions with cortical actin. In this study, ANXA4 was upregulated during glaucomatous stresses. Mechanical insult increased membrane permeability, and ANXA4 knockdown increased permeability to this insult. Furthermore, ANXA4 interacted with F-actin. These studies highlight the importance of membrane dynamics during biomechanical and ischemic insult and the active role ANXA4 has on membrane stability.
Secondary to Post-secondary Mathematics: Factors Perceived by Students as Inhibitors and Enablers to their Success
Keywords: Calculus
Post-secondary
Secondary
Transition

This study examined the transition from secondary to post-secondary mathematics, through the investigation of first-year and second-year calculus courses. Voluntary participants from a second-year calculus course at an Ontario university were invited to participate in an online survey. The data collected from the survey reflected students' experiences in grade twelve calculus, and university first-year and second-year calculus courses, along with students' perceptions about mathematics. The evidence from the study suggests that the teaching of mathematics at the university level needs to be adapted to students' learning of mathematics at the secondary level. In addition, educators for secondary-level mathematics need to ensure that students are being prepared for university mathematics by building the necessary skills for mathematical proofs and abstract thinking. Students need the opportunity to critically evaluate their own work, and easily see the application of mathematics to their lives.