VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The Social Transmission of User-generated Memes
Keywords: user-generated content
memes

The popular concept of viral media is like the flu: once unleashed, it naturally infects all your friends. This work suggests that viral impact may not be determined by the content alone but also by the content’s creator as part of the Viral Feedback Loop. Participants interacted with a type of online meme called an image macro which has historically been shared virally. Participants made their own User-Generated Content (UGC) with Memelab, an image macro builder written for this experiment. Participants then shared their UGC online, which was longitudinally monitored to create a behavioural measure of viral impact. When sharing with a friend, participants’ predictions of how much their UGC would be liked was positively associated with viral impact. Intent to Share was modelled as a function of image macro content features and participant responses, which was then modelled with an Agent-based computer simulation.
Ignoring the Love: Attachment Avoidance and Empathic Accuracy in Romantic Conversations
Keywords: attachment
empathic accuracy
romantic relationships
social psychology

Two studies examined the influence of attachment avoidance on accuracy in reading a romantic partner’s emotions (empathic accuracy) during positive couple interactions— conversations about love. Study 1 found that higher attachment avoidance was related to less accuracy in inferring a partner’s positive emotions during a conversation about love, but was not related to accuracy for negative emotions. Study 2 examined whether avoidant individuals’ lower empathic accuracy in love conversations could be increased by framing accuracy as unrelated to intimacy. The framing manipulation did not consistently alter avoidant individuals’ accuracy. However, there was some evidence that avoidant individuals performed worse when they believed accuracy reflected intimacy, compared to when accuracy was unrelated to intimacy. These results suggest that lower empathic accuracy may be a strategic defence avoidant individuals use to maintain emotional distance. By incorrectly reading their partner’s positive emotions, avoidant individuals may miss the relational benefits afforded by empathic accuracy.
The Dynamic Role of Sphingolipids and their Regulatory Enzymes in Preeclampsia
Keywords: Placenta
Sphingolipids
Preeclampsia

Sphingolipids act as regulators of cell fate decisions. Ceramides (CERs) are key effector molecules regulating cell death. CERs metabolism is controlled by a balance between its breakdown and synthesis by the enzymes acid ceramidase (AC) and acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), respectively. We hypothesized that sphingolipid metabolism plays a role in proper placental development by establishing trophoblast cell fate and alterations in the pathways contribute to preeclampsia. CERs levels were increased in preeclamptic relative to normotensive preterm control placentae and this associated with decreased AC and ASM expression levels and altered glycosylation and activity of these enzymes, an effect caused by oxidative stress. Furthermore, C-16 ceramide or inhibiting AC activity induced autophagy in placental cells. In conclusion, altered expression of AC and ASM in preeclamptic placentae, induced by oxidative stress, are responsible for changes in the sphingolipid rheostat which may contribute to increased autophagy and trophoblast cell turnover characteristic of this disorder.
The Role of Central Glucagon Signaling in the Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis
Keywords: glucagon
hypothalamus
glucose production

Circulating glucagon activates hepatic G-protein coupled receptors to stimulate cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and increase glucose production (GP). The elevation of GP, however, is not sustained even in the presence of a continuous intravenous (i.v.) glucagon infusion that maintains elevated plasma glucagon levels. We here report that direct infusion of glucagon into the mediobasal hypothalamus of normal rats surprisingly inhibited GP during a pancreatic clamp. The GP-lowering effect required the activation of the hypothalamic glucagon receptor-cAMP-PKA pathway, while activation of the hypothalamic cAMP-PKA signaling alone was sufficient to lower GP. In a non-clamp setting, inhibition of the MBH glucagon receptor or cAMP-PKA signaling enhanced the acute ability of an i.v. glucagon injection to increase plasma glucose levels and GP in rats. Thus, we unveil a novel function of glucagon in the MBH that inhibits glucose production and counteracts the direct hepatic stimulatory effect of circulating glucagon in rats.
Therapeutic Hypothermia: Exploring The Impact Of Processes Of Care On Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest
Keywords: cardiac arrest
therapeutic hypothermia
processes of care

INTRODUCTION: The optimal processes of implementing therapeutic hypothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the associations between the processes of cooling and patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was performed on adult OHCA patients from November 1, 2007 to January 31, 2012 using two population-based datasets. Generalized estimating equation analyses were used to evaluate associations between temperature variables and patient outcomes. RESULTS: Higher baseline temperatures prior to cooling and slower rates of cooling were associated with patients having both good neurological outcomes and increased survival to hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Higher baseline temperatures prior to cooling and slower rates of cooling were associated with improved neurological outcomes and survival to hospital discharge. Clinical trials are needed to assess the optimal cooling processes such as rate of cooling, temperature target, and cooling duration to achieve the best patient outcomes after OHCA.
Animal Models of Alzheimer’s Disease, Stroke, Type II Diabetes Co-morbidity: The Role of Hippocampal Adult Neurogenesis
Keywords: Adult neurogenesis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive decline in cognition and memory in the aging population. This progression is advanced by risk factors for vascular cognitive impairment, such as stroke and diabetes. The present study examines hippocampal adult neurogenesis in the animal models for combined stroke and AD, and combined type II diabetes and AD treatments. Stroke or AD treatment alone significantly impaired dendritic arborization of young neurons 3 weeks after the surgery. The combined treatment further reduced neuronal survival by over 90%. No significant changes in cell proliferation and neuronal survival were observed after combined type II diabetes and AD treatment. Our evidence suggests that combined stroke & AD can impact the survival of young neurons leading to more dramatic consequences in terms of possible cognitive decline. These effects on neurogenesis could contribute to the early onset and progression of Alzheimer’s dementia.
Applicability of Multidimensional Fractionation to Affinity Purification Mass Spectrometry Samples and Protein Phosphatase 4 Substrate Identification
Keywords: mass spectrometry
protein phosphatase 4
fractionation

Affinity-purification coupled to mass spectrometry (AP-MS) is gaining widespread use for the identification of protein-protein interactions. It is unclear however, whether typical AP sample complexity is limiting for the identification of all protein components using standard one-dimensional LC-MS/MS. Multidimensional sample separation is a useful for reducing sample complexity prior to MS analysis, and increases peptide and protein coverage of complex samples, yet the applicability of this approach to AP-MS samples remains unknown. Here I present work to show that multidimensional separation of AP-MS samples is not a cost-effective method for identifying increased peptide or protein coverage in these sample types. As such this approach was not adapted for the identification of putative Phosphoprotein Phosphatase 4 (PP4c) substrates. Instead, affinity purification coupled to one-dimensional LC-MS/MS was used to identify putative PP4c substrates, and semi-quantitative methods applied to identify possible PP4c targeted phosphosites in PP2A subfamily phosphatase inhibited (okadaic acid treated) cells.
Secretome Proteins as Candidate Biomarkers for Aggressive Thyroid Carcinomas
Keywords: thyroid cancer
biomarker
proteomics
secretome
tissue
serum

Using secretome proteomics and bioinformatics, analyses of non-aggressive and aggressive thyroid carcinoma (TC) cell lines revealed nine proteins as potential biomarkers for detection of aggressive TCs. Of these, APP, APLP2, AXL, PKM2, 14-3-3 zeta and SET were detected in patients’ sera by western blotting and showed significant differences in subcellular expression in benign and malignant tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Membrane and cytoplasmic ALCAM expression was reduced in patients with poorly/undifferentiated (aggressive) TC compared to well-differentiated (non-aggressive) TC (p<0.001, AUC=0.865, sensitivity=82%, specificity=74%) as analyzed by IHC in 158 TCs and 45 benign nodules. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed reduced disease-free survival for TC patients with lower ALCAM expression (median survival 7.3 years compared to 13.5 years for patients with higher expression, p=0.002). ALCAM sera levels were elevated in aggressive versus non-aggressive TC patients (p=0.04), as measured by ELISA. ALCAM may potentially serve as a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker for aggressive TC.
Asians With IgA Nephropathy Have An Increased Risk of Progression to End-stage Renal Disease
Keywords: IgA nephropathy
race
ethnicity
end-stage renal disease
renal progression

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Asia; while this may be partly due to a higher prevalence of disease, it is unknown if it also reflects racial differences in the risk of progression to ESRD. To determine if Asians with IgAN have a higher risk of ESRD, I analyzed a cohort of 202 Asians and 467 non-Asians with IgAN in Canada (mean follow-up 46 months). The primary outcome of ESRD occurred in 213 patients. After adjusting for age, sex, eGFR, medication use, MAP and proteinuria, the HR for ESRD in Asians vs non-Asians was 1.56 (95%CI 1.10-2.22 p=0.01). These results were supported by a 1.62ml/min/1.73m2/year faster rate of eGFR decline in Asians (95%CI -3.19--0.5 p=0.04) and an increased risk of a 50% reduction in eGFR (HR=1.81 95%CI 1.25-2.62 p=0.002). These results suggest that Asian ancestry may be an important risk factor for renal progression in IgAN.
Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 Channel Affects Neurite Outgrowth of Hippocampal Neurons in vitro
Keywords: Neurite outgrowth
TRPM7
hippocampal neurons
neuronal development

Central Nervous System (CNS) neurons are highly specialized cells that assemble into functional networks by extending their axons and dendrites. Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a stretch-activated, calcium permeable non-selective cation channel that has previously been shown to be involved in cellular processes that are important for neurite elongation, such as vesicle fusion and cell adhesion by modulating cytoskeletal dynamics. The present study investigates the role of TRPM7 in neurite outgrowth using genetic and pharmacological approaches on cultured mouse hippocampal neurons. Both shRNA knockdown of endogenous TRPM7 expression and blocking of TRPM7 channel function using carvacrol resulted in enhanced neurite elongation, suggesting that TRPM7 may negatively regulate neurite outgrowth process during neuronal development. Co-immunoprecipitation data suggest that TRPM7 may be involved in neurite outgrowth process by modulating actin cytoskeletal dynamics via alpha-actinin-1.
Improving Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation by Developing New Tools to Reduce Donor Cell Rejection
Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Trogocytosis
Graft rejection
NK cells
Macrophages
Immunocompromised mouse models
Donor cell
Reprogramming
piggyBac
Umbilical cord blood cells
Reprogramming intermediates
Bone marrow cells

Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) face hurdles such as conditioning-related mortality, graft rejection and insufficient donor cell dose that impede recovery. To address these issues, we investigated the role of cell surface protein transfer in influencing graft rejection and the use of blood reprogramming intermediates as a novel source of donor cells, respectively. We found that the transfer of host MHC class I proteins onto donor cells protects the donor cells from NK cell-mediated and macrophage-mediated rejection. These results suggest that mild conditioning regimens that spare host NK cells and macrophages can be used on patients without compromising graft tolerance. Next, we attempted but failed to generate blood reprogramming intermediates using the non-viral piggyBac system. Moving forward, we should investigate the use of other methods to generate blood reprogramming intermediates. Altogether, our study provided novel insights and possible solutions to the aforementioned complications faced by patients receiving HSCTs.
Searching out Loud Together: Reflections from a Faculty Learning Circle
Keywords: college faculty
learning circle
professional development
teacher learning
professional growth
teacher identity

This qualitative study explored the experiences and reflections of nine part-time and newly hired College educators who agreed to participate in the development of a Faculty Learning Circle. A collective case study methodology was used to explore the emergent themes, responses and experiences of the participants who engaged with the FLC over the course of a year. Data was obtained by audio-recording the FLC sessions, participant reflections, as well as a group exit interview. The findings indicated that the FLC was an effective vehicle for sustained and meaningful informal professional development. The FLC allowed participants to explore their professional identities, garner peer support within a collegial community, and numerous opportunities to collaborate for professional learning that had benefits both within and outside the classroom. As a result, this thesis offers insights for both faculty and College administrators into the advantages of a collaborative, peer-led approach to professional development.
Nitrate-Dependent, pH Neutral Bioleaching of Ni from an Ultramafic Concentrate
Keywords: bioleaching
pentlandite
denitrification
nitrate
iron sulfide
ultramafic
nickel
neutral pH

This study explores the possibility of utilizing bioleaching techniques for nickel extraction from a mixed sulfide ore deposit with high magnesium content. Due to the ultramafic nature of this material, well-studied bioleaching technologies, which rely on acidophilic bacteria, will lead to undesirable processing conditions. This is the first work that incorporates nitrate-dependent bacteria under pH 6.5 environments for bioleaching of base metals. Experiments with both defined bacterial strains and indigenous mixed bacterial cultures were conducted with nitrate as the electron acceptor and sulfide minerals as electron donors in a series of microcosm studies. Nitrate consumption, sulfate production, and Ni released into the aqueous phase were used to track the extent of oxidative sulfide mineral dissolution; taxonomic identification of the mixed culture community was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Nitrate-dependent microcosms that contained indigenous sulfur- and/or iron-oxidizing microorganisms were cultured, characterized, and provided a proof-of-concept basis for further bioleaching studies.
Track Changes: Identity in Version Control
Keywords: Version Control
Identity
Git
Software Development

The growing sophistication of version control systems, a class of tools employed in tracking and managing changes to documents, has had a transformative impact on the practice of programming. In recent years great strides have been made to improve these systems, but certain stubborn difficulties remain. For example, merging of concurrently introduced changes continues to be a labour-intensive and error-prone process. This thesis examines these difficulties by way of a critique of the conceptual framework underlying modern version control systems, arguing that many of their shortcomings are related to certain long-standing, open problems around identity. The research presented here casts light on how the challenges faced by users and designers of version control systems can be understood in those terms, ultimately arguing that future progress may benefit from a better understanding of the role of identity, representation, reference, and meaning in these systems and in computing in general.
Optimal Pairs Trading: Static and Dynamic Models
Keywords: Pairs Trading
Stochastic Control

Pairs trading has been a popular statistical arbitrage strategy among hedge funds. One important research field in pairs trading is to maximize the return under differential constraints and assumptions. In this thesis, we develop two models to optimize the performance of pairs trading. In the static model, we find the analytic solution of optimal thresholds for pairs trading to maximize the long run profit per unit time. Comparison is made between the optimal rules we developed and the common practice. To overcome limitations of the static model, we extend our research to dynamic pairs trading, where a continuous time Markov chain is used to model the change of parameters. Our objective is to maximize the expected return in the finite horizon under the Constant Relative Risk Aversion (CRRA) utility. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the impact of price limits, risk aversion rate and regime switching on consumers' investment decision.
Feasibility and Simulation Study of DC Hybrid Circuit Breakers
Keywords: Hybird Circuit Breakers
Electric Arc Model

Interruption of DC is more challenging than that of AC because of the absence of DC zero-crossings. This thesis proposes an alternative counter-voltage (ACV) DC hybrid circuit breaker (DC-HCB). This DC-HCB can interrupt the DC up to 5 kA with the source voltage of up to 1 kV and it can meet the general requirements i.e., interrupting the DC within 5ms, and limiting over-voltages due to the CB operation. The existing/investigated DC circuit breakers, i.e., active mode DC-HCB and the traditional counter-voltage (TCV) DC-HCB are also investigated and compared with the proposed DC-HCB. The investigations are based on the time-domain simulation studies in the PSCAD/EMTDC. The studies show that the ACV DC-HCB is the preferred option to both the existing DC-HCBs. The main features of the proposed ACV DC-HCB include lower capacitance in the commutation path and the need for a smaller dielectric strength for the primary-path circuit breaker.
Layer-by-layer Electrode Modification for Electrochemical Capacitors - Alternative Cations and Process Optimization
Keywords: Electrochemical Capacitors
Supercapacitors
Layer-by-Layer
Polyoxometalate
Fuchsin
Luminol
Electrode Modification

Layer-by-Layer (LbL) deposition of electrochemically active materials on porous carbon electrodes is a proven method to leverage both electrochemical double-layer capacitance and pseudocapacitance for charge storage on the same electrode. LbL coatings are held together by electrostatic attraction between adjacent layers of oppositely charged molecules. Previous studies have used Keggin polyoxometalates to great effect as the anionic layer in LbL electrode modification, but little effort has been devoted to cationic material selection and LbL process optimization. This work investigated alternatives to the conventional, electrochemically inert polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA) cation. The use of fuchsin molecular cations in LbL deposition improved the specific energy and specific power of modified electrodes. Fuchsin cation also rendered the environmentally harmful oxidative surface activation step unnecessary for LbL deposition. Process parameters were optimized for MWCNT/Fuchsin/POM samples, and post-LbL electrochemical polymerization was found to further improve the performance of these electrodes.
Informed Consent for Chiropractic Care: Comparing Patients’ Perceptions to the Legal Requirements
Keywords: Informed Consent
Chiropract*
Qualitative
Patient Safety
Spinal Manipulation
Adverse Events

Purpose: Patients’ perspectives of informed consent for chiropractic care have not been investigated. This study explored how patients of chiropractors perceived the exchange of risk information during informed consent. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 26 participants, recruited from chiropractic clinics. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a constant comparative method of analysis. Findings: Participants experienced informed consent as an on-going process where risk perceptions were shaped throughout four distinct stages. In the first stage information acquired prior to arriving at the clinic for treatment shaped perceptions of risk. In the second stage participants assessed the perceived competence of the practitioners. Participants then signed the consent form and discussed the risks with t heir practitioner. Finally, they communicated with their practitioners during treatment to ensure their pain threshold was not crossed. Conclusion: These findings suggest that patients perceive informed consent as a social process involving on-going communication with their practitioners.
Epigenetic Alterations Associated with Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) Infections in the Bladder
Keywords: Bladder
Epigenetics
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Infection of the human urinary tract is one of the commonest bacterial infections, with uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC) being responsible for 90% of the diagnosed cases, with significant morbidity and mortality. The urinary bladder is a remarkable autonomic musculomembranous organ under conscious control. Its two main functions are, storage and voiding of urine. Any disturbance to normal urination leads to various clinical conditions, such as urinary incontinence, bladder retention, overactive bladder syndrome, prostatitis in men and urinary tract infections (UTI). Determining the predisposition of an individual to UTI by discovering a biomarker would allow for a more rational selection of patients who might best benefit from either antibiotic prophylaxis or preemptive surgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine the epigenetic effects of UPEC infection directly, or indirectly in the bladder. The study also identified potential gene candidates, such as TLR4 and CTCF, for development of DNA methylation biomarker targets.
The Role of Gap Junctions in Brain Glucose Deprivation and Glucose Reperfusion
Keywords: Hypoglycemia
Seizure
Gap Junction
Glucose Reperfusion

Hypoglycemia is a severe side effect of insulin overdose in the diabetic population and can result in various neurological sequalae including seizures, coma, and brain death. There is still a limited understanding of the generation and propagation of hypoglycemic seizures, which may exacerbate hypoglycemia-induced neuronal damage. Moreover, glucose reperfusion after a period of transient hypoglycemia has been shown to cause neuronal hyperexcitability which can have further damaging effects. Gap junctional communication can be involved in the spread of hypoglycemic injury in two ways: 1) by providing a cytoplasmic continuity in which seizures can easily propagate and 2) by engaging the astrocytic network in metabolic compensation as well as enhancing astrocytic buffering of K+. This study aims to investigate the role that gap junctions play during brain energy deprivation. Results from these experiments show that gap junction blockade can have a neuroprotective role during hypoglycemia and glucose reperfusion.