VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Data Dissemination using Information-Centric Networking
Keywords: Content Delivery
Data Dissemination
Information-Centric Networking
Internet of Things
Smart City

Information-Centric Networking (ICN) is a promising paradigm to answer challenges the current Internet is facing. It is a paradigm that puts content first, and inherently enables content mobility and content security. In this work, we use ICN in real world applications. We present an ICN-based data-dissemination layer for Smart City platforms. We also present a content-based publish/subscribe overlay system based on that data-dissemination layer. We are using the system to collect and publish data from various sources, including demos with Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs) providing live transportation video. Furthermore, by promoting in-network caching, ICN is a promising paradigm to answer current challenges in the service provider's domain. This work reports on a cache placement and content routing strategy for service providers to delay the onset of congestion (time-to-exhaustion) to the extent possible in order to optimize their capital expenditure for their limited capacity planning budget. We show that even a limited deployment of ICN provides a substantial increase in the time-to-exhaustion of the network and a decrease in the number of links with high utilization. We also study the effects of homogeneous and heterogeneous caching mechanisms on the performance of an ICN based content-delivery system.
Utilizing a Microbial Natural Product to Investigate Cellular Circuitry Governing Fungal Drug Resistance and Morphogenesis
Keywords: Beauvericin
Combination Therapy
Drug Resistance
Fungal Pathogens
Natural Products
Stress Response

Fungal pathogens cause life-threatening infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. The three most prevalent fungal pathogens are Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. There is a limited repertoire of antifungals in clinical use, with treatment of invasive infections restricted to polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins. The emergence of drug resistance now threatens the utility of antifungals, necessitating the development of novel strategies to block the emergence of drug resistance and restore antifungal activity against resistant pathogens. My research explores the mechanisms by which the natural product beauvericin enhances azole efficacy, blocks the emergence of azole resistance, inhibits virulence traits, and renders resistant pathogens responsive to treatment in mammalian infection models. My results demonstrate that beauvericin increases azole activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and pathogenic fungi such as C. albicans, C. neoformans, and A. fumigatus. Harnessing genome sequencing of S. cerevisiae beauvericin-resistant mutants, affinity purification of a biotinylated beauvericin analog, and biochemical and genetic assays reveals that beauvericin blocks multidrug efflux and inhibits the global regulator TORC1 kinase, thereby activating protein kinase CK2 and inhibiting the molecular chaperone Hsp90. Substitutions in the multidrug transporter Pdr5 that enable beauvericin efflux impair antifungal efflux, thereby impeding resistance to the drug combination. Genome sequence analysis of beauvericin-resistant mutants in C. albicans reveals mutations in genes encoding the transcription factors Zcf29 and Tac1. Transcriptional profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to microarray analyses reveals that Zcf29 binds to and regulates the expression of multidrug transporter genes. Beyond drug resistance, I also discovered that beauvericin blocks the C. albicans morphogenetic transition from yeast to filamentous growth, a key virulence trait, in response to diverse host-relevant cues. Thus, my work establishes that beauvericin abrogates antifungal drug resistance and blocks C. albicans morphogenesis, providing a powerful strategy for the development of combination therapy to treat life-threatening fungal infections.
Public Health as Social Justice? A Qualitative Study of Public Health Policy-makers' Perspectives
Keywords: Chronic disease prevention
Health equity
Justice
Public health emergency preparedness and response
Public health policy
Social justice

Background: ‘Social justice’ is routinely identified as a core value for the field of public health. Yet, outside of the theoretical literature it is seldom accompanied by a robust definition or an explanation of what it requires for policy and practice. If social justice is intended to be, or ought to be, a core value in public health, its meaning and normative requirements must be understood and articulated in a way that is applicable to, and practicable for, public health policy and practice. This study takes a first step in responding to this charge by (1) exploring public health policy-makers’ perspectives on the meaning and role of social justice in their practice, (2) examining the extent to which distinct perspectives on social justice exist in different programmatic areas of public health (chronic disease prevention and public health emergency preparedness and response), and (3) analyzing these perspectives in light of existing normative social justice theory. Methods: This study involved qualitative, semi-structured interviews with public health policy-makers purposively recruited from municipal, provincial, and federal public health organizations in Canada. Twenty interviews were conducted, analyzed via thematic analysis, and subsequently interpreted in light of, and situated within the context of, normative social justice theory. Findings: Two overarching themes emerged from the interviews, in addition to three unique themes from interviews with participants involved in chronic disease prevention and three themes from those involved in public health emergency preparedness and response. Social justice was not uniformly interpreted among study participants, and the meanings and roles attributed to social justice appeared to be influenced, in part, by the perceived goals and contextual features that belong to the programmatic area of public health in which they practiced. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide an understanding of how the meaning and role of social justice is interpreted by public health policy-makers. They point to key areas in normative social justice theory where further attention ought to be directed, as well as key areas in the public health policy and practice context where normative social justice theory could enhance and refine the value’s practical interpretation and role.
School Leadership in the Provincial Philippines
Keywords: cross cultural education
educational administration
international education
Philippines
school improvement
school leadership

This research presents the results of an ethnographic case study about school leadership on a small island in the provincial Philippines. A distributed perspective of school leadership was taken, and school leadership was defined as the ability to influence the organization. The research question was, “How is school leadership practiced in a Philippine high school in a period of educational reform?” A comprehensive literature review was conducted, and a pre-existing theoretical framework called the Four Paths (Leithwood, Patten, Jantzi, 2010) was used. Respondents took photographs of “things that improve the school,” and interviews were based on the photographs they took. The results showed that a range of individuals participated in school leadership, not just the principal. Four conclusions were reached. 1. The low socioeconomic status of the local culture limited the school community. 2. The distribution of leadership extended outside the physical walls of the school and involved district staff. 3. Use of the Four Paths framework should incorporate social context. 4. School leaders formed patron-client relationships, a social convention that made their leadership more resilient. There are five implications for future research. 1. The main focus of leaders in low socioeconomic status (SES) communities might not be academic achievement. 2. Leadership actions in low SES communities might not be divided discretely into academic and social achievement, so a holistic approach might be required. 3. Researchers might expect to see emphasis on the needs of students by school leaders in low SES communities. 4. There could be leaders outside the school walls who can help improve the school, implying that low SES schools have more leadership resources than they think. 5. The school organizational structure might be larger than the physical school.
Identification and Validation of DLG2 as a Novel Tumor Suppressor in Osteosarcoma
Keywords: aCGH
comparative oncogenomics
DLG2
mouse model
osteosarcoma

Biological events including mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis are frequently well conserved within mammals. We here report a cross-species comparative genomics study across human, dog, and mouse in osteosarcoma (OS). Genomic profiling in spontaneous human and dog OS elucidated a promising tumor suppressor gene candidate, Disks Large Homolog 2 (DLG2). DLG2 copy number losses are observed in 29% of spontaneous human OS and 45% of canine OS. The tumor suppressive ability of DLG2 is then examined in vitro using human and dog cell lines, and in vivo using murine xenograft models. Restoration of DLG2 expression selectively reduces cell motility in DLG2-deleted cell lines. DLG2 expression also reduces tumorigenic capacity in multiple DLG2-deleted cell lines, as determined by soft agar assays and xenografts in NOD/SCID mice. Finally, osteoblast-specific knockout (KO) of Dlg2 gene accelerates tumor progression in a murine model of OS. RNA-seq profiling shows that DLG2 overexpression in DLG2 KO cells affect a range of cellular activities with RhoA pathway and actin-organization at the top of the list. Therefore, by leveraging biological conversation across species, we identify DLG2 as a novel tumor suppressor in OS. The principles of this project can be widely applied to other human cancers, offering an approach to shortlist potential candidate genes within large chromosomal altered regions, and prioritize their functional validation.
Measurement of Hair Cortisol Concentration in Pregnant Women and Children with Asthma to Assess Its Potential as a Biomarker of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal Axis
Keywords: asthma
biomarker
children
hair cortisol
inhaled corticosteroids
pregnancy

The recommended long-term treatment for asthma is inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy, but research has shown that ICS use is associated with adrenal suppression. Cortisol is important physiologically and involved in fetal maturation and epigenetic programming. Hair cortisol has been used as a biomarker of the long-term effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis for a variety of psychiatric and medical conditions. This research hypothesizes that hair cortisol may be able to detect lower cortisol concentrations in pregnant women and children on ICS therapy and, therefore, have potential as a useful biomarker for possible adrenal suppression due to ICS use. This retrospective cohort study collected hair samples from children and pregnant women with asthma, treated and not treated with ICS, and those without asthma. Hair samples were segmented, based on an average growth of 1 cm/month, and analyzed using a validated ELISA method. A children's pilot study analyzed the hair prior to and during ICS therapy for the same children. The proximal 3 cm hair segment was analyzed for the large cohort of children. Hair segments for preconception, trimesters 1-3, and postpartum were analyzed for the pregnant women. The results were compared within and among the groups, as appropriate. The children's pilot study showed hair cortisol concentrations were twofold lower during ICS therapy (median 89.8 ng/g vs. 198.2 ng/g, p=0.0015, n=18). For pregnant women (n=118), asthma was a significant factor associated with lower hair cortisol. Women with asthma and consistent ICS use had significantly lower third trimester hair cortisol (47%, p=0.029) compared to Controls. The comparison of median hair cortisol concentrations among the three groups in the large cohort of children (n=460) was not significant. However, 5.3% of children on ICS therapy had hair cortisol below 2 ng/g compared to none in the control groups, which may indicate children with or at risk of adrenal suppression. The significant factors associated with hair cortisol in children were age, female sex, intranasal corticosteroid use, and BMI. Hair cortisol analysis successfully detected significantly lower hair cortisol concentrations suggesting it is a useful biomarker of the HPA axis in pregnant women and children. The correlation of hair cortisol concentrations with a diagnosis of adrenal suppression or insufficiency and the potential impact of decreased maternal cortisol in women with asthma on perinatal outcomes remain to be determined.
FMRFamide-like Peptides and their Role in Reproduction in the Chagas Vector, Rhodnius prolixus
Keywords: contraction
immunohistochemistry
insect
neuropeptide
oogenesis
reproduction

Insect reproductive systems are tightly modulated by neurotransmitters via direct innervation, by neurohormones circulating in the haemolymph and by neuromodulators that can be released either locally or more widespread in the periphery. FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs) are large families of neuropeptides with conserved RFamide C-termini and have been implicated in vertebrate and invertebrate neuroendocrinology. This thesis examines the differing roles that members of the FLP superfamily have in the adult female reproductive system of Rhodnius prolixus. The entire female reproductive tract is composed of different arrangements of striated muscles. Two members of the N-terminally extended FM/L/IRFamides have been shown to stimulate ovariole, ovary, oviduct and bursal muscle contraction in a dose-dependent manner; whereas the myosuppressin, RhoprMS, does not have any myogenic effect on the reproductive tract. The RhoprNPF (neuropeptide F) and RhoprNPF receptor (RhoprNPFR) genes have been cloned from the R. prolixus central nervous system (CNS) and phylogenetic analysis implies possible receptor-ligand co-evolution. RhoprNPFR has been classified as a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) containing 7 transmembrane domains and a conserved 8th Îą-helix that are classic characteristics of rhodopsin-type GPCRs. FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity (FLI) was observed in cells and processes in the adult CNS and processes on the reproductive tract. Moreover a specific subset of median neurosecretory cells (MNSCs) in the brain as well as small cell bodies along the muscle fibers of the lateral oviduct express the RhoprNPF transcript. The RhoprNPFR transcript is also expressed in putative pre-follicular cells of the R. prolixus telotrophic ovariole. RhoprNPFR transcript appears to be supplied to the developing oocyte during vitellogenesis and the receptor most likely aids in the differentiation of pre-follicular cells into mature follicle cells surrounding the growing oocyte and helps regulate the supply of nutrients. Screening members of the FLP family in an egg-laying assay showed that N-terminally extended FM/L/IRFamides and short NPF stimulate oogenesis, whereas MS inhibits it. Although RhoprNPF does not have a myogenic effect on lateral oviduct muscle, I have shown that it potentially aids in ovulation. Sulfakinins exhibit no effect on egg-laying. In summary, this thesis demonstrates the importance of FLPs in the control and regulation of the female R. prolixus reproductive system.
Eating-out: A Study of the Nutritional Quality of Canadian Chain Restaurant Foods and Interventions to Promote Healthy Eating
Keywords: Calories
Fast-food
Menu-labelling
Nutrition
Restaurants
Sodium

Canadians are increasingly eating outside-the-home. At the outset of this thesis there were no data on the nutritional quality of Canadian chain restaurant foods, the Sodium Working Groupâ s plan to monitor sodium reductions in the food supply was abandoned, and despite interest and numerous bills, there was no existing menu-labelling legislation in Canada. The specific objectives of this thesis were to 1) investigate the nutritional quality of the Canadian chain restaurant food supply; 2) explore consumersâ use of menu-labelling; and 3) test the potential of alternative forms of labelling in non-chain restaurant settings. Objective 1 was investigated by developing and analyzing a national database of over 9000 menu-items from Canadian fast-food and sit-down chain restaurants which was created in 2010. There was wide variation in calorie levels within each restaurant and food category; furthermore, portion size, as opposed to calorie density, was the most important driver of this variation. Sodium levels in menu items often exceed daily recommendations and despite reported efforts by the restaurant sector to improve, as of 2013, reductions were minimal. Objective 2 used an online, national consumer survey to test three menu-labelling treatments (calories; calories and sodium; and calories, sodium and serving size labelling). The effect of labelling on consumer choice varied depending on the restaurant setting, however, overall, labelling sodium in addition to calories led consumers to choose meals with significantly less sodium. There was no additional benefit from adding serving size information. Objective 3 was examined in a quasi-experimental, population-level nutrition labelling/education intervention study in a campus cafeteria. Results showed that this intervention could modestly increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and decrease sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among University students. Overall, this thesis provides food supply and consumer data to inform public health policy debates around issues concerning food consumed outside-the-home.
The Influence of Selection Silviculture Biomass Harvesting on Soil Carbon, Nutrients, and Respiration in a Northern Mixed-Deciduous Forest
Keywords: Bioenergy
Carbon loss
Decomposition
Harvest intensity
Soil biogeochemistry
Soil compaction

Concerns have been raised about soil fertility following increased recovery of biomass in northern mixed deciduous forests. Several studies suggest that biomass extraction and enhanced decomposer activity can lead to losses of soil C and nutrients, increased nitrification, and reduced soil CO2 efflux (FCO2) from compaction and root senescence. However, results are inconsistent; differences may be linked to insufficient investigation and characterisation of variability in forest structure, silvicultural methods, and intensity and heterogeneity of disturbances. Without a comprehensive understanding of how soil biogeochemical processes respond to different types and intensities of harvesting disturbances, we cannot accurately predict losses and ecological sustainability of harvesting. My thesis tests this by evaluating changes to forest structure and various soil edaphic and physical properties following tree-length (TL) and more intensive biomass selection-harvests for 3 years and on primary and tertiary skid trails. Several metrics of forest harvesting intensity were correlated to higher post-harvest FCO2 rates and losses of soil and dissolved soil organic C (SOC/DOC), K+, and NH4+. Increased canopy openness and soil temperatures accounted for 34-41% of elevated FCO2. Woody debris inputs and SOC/DOC losses correlated to higher autumn FCO2 rates and NH4+ losses, while harvested tree biomass correlated to lower summer rates and higher nitrate concentrations. Primary skid trails had low SOC/nutrient concentrations and FCO2 from compaction and inhibited regrowth, potentially functioning as C sources. Biomass harvesting halved woody debris inputs relative to TL harvesting; otherwise, short-term treatment differences were nominal. However, estimated base cation losses through additional biomass recovery may produce net long-term soil depletion not observed in conventional harvesting. These results support my hypotheses that harvesting increased decomposer and nitrification activity, losses of C and nutrients, and that harvesting and trail use intensity can potentially predict these changes. Ecosystem-scale projections of forest C and nutrient storage that do not distinguish between spatiotemporally variable source/sink components (e.g. skid trails, harvested forest) may not effectively estimate changes. Combined with a detailed mensuration of pre/post-harvest forest structure and environmental covariates, future studies that representatively sample these different areas may improve our ability to predict system responses to disturbances.
Transformation and Standstill: Iranian Experiences of Splintering Urbanism in Dubai
Keywords: Dubai
Ethics
Financialization
Infrastrcutre
Speculation
Splintering Urbanism

This dissertation focuses on Dubai’s recent urban transformation, and its descent into crisis. Conducted between 2010 and 2012, it examines how the city splintered into a series of upscale “mega-projects” in the periphery known as “New Dubai”, while inner city neighborhoods grew congested with “unskilled” labor and targeted for policing. Through political economic analysis, I argue that New Dubai was not just a geographic category but a techno-political regime working to conflate local real estate with global capital through strategies of flexible sovereignty. Through ethnographic analysis focusing on middle and working class Iranian immigrants I show how immigrants in Dubai variously engaged with or were marginalized by this urban transformation as they inhabited new relations of debt and property in pursuit of “the good life,” or found themselves at risk of eviction, debtor’s jail, and deportation.
patial Control of the Conductivity of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiopehe): Poly(styrenesulfonate) Thin Films
Keywords: Organic Electronics
PEDOT:PSS
Rapid Thermal Annealing

Poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin films have undergone treatment from rapid thermal processing and direct ultraviolet irradiation at a wavelength of 254 nm. Through various characterization methods, the underlying physical changes as a result of rapid thermal annealing indicate a shift of morphology that correlates to an increase in material conductivity. Through fitting the electrical transport theory of space charge limited current carrier transportation through polymeric materials to experimental results, this shift of morphology can be linked to an increase in the effective mobility of carriers in PEDOT:PSS. Characterization subsequent to various doses of ultraviolet irradiation exhibits up to a 4 order of magnitude loss in conductivity as a result of exposure. This reduction in conductivity has been determined to arise from a scission process induced by the high energy photons. By applying this previously unexplored direct write patterning technique using ultraviolet exposure, novel device demonstrations of patterned organic light emitting diodes as well as an all PEDOT:PSS capacitive sensing array were implemented. The key feature of such device demonstration being that no physical patterning or structuring of the device was required to obtain proper functionality. Both the rapid thermal annealing and the ultraviolet irradiation are suitable for implementation into a roll-to-roll fabrication process which is critical for taking full advantage of the benefits of polymeric electronic materials such as flexibility and low cost fabrication.