VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Ectopic Eruption of the Maxillary First Permanent Molar: Rate and Predictive Factors of Self-correction and Survey of Specialists Attitudes Regarding Intervention
Keywords: ectopic eruption
survey
predictive factors
self-correction

Purpose: To retrospectively assess the incidence and predictive factors for self-correction of ectopic eruption of maxillary permanent first molars (EE) and the prevailing attitudes amongst surveyed specialists regarding intervention in cases of EE. Methods: Charts of patients diagnosed with EE were assessed for predictive clinical and radiographic factors. An online survey was sent to pediatric dentists and orthodontists. Results: The rate of self-correction was 71%. One third of self-corrections occurred after age 9. Increased amount of impaction (r(43)=0.59, p<.001) and degree of resorption (r(57)=0.41, p=.001) were positively correlated with irreversibility. Orthodontists estimated the spontaneous self-correction rate to be lower (t(1178)=19.2, p<.001) than pediatric dentists. Conclusions: One third of self-corrections occurred after 9 years of age and delaying treatment of EE may be a viable option when uncertain of the outcome. Reliable predictive factors of irreversibility of EE were identified. Differences exist between pediatric dentists and orthodontists regarding management of EE.
Assessing Patients' and Radiation Therapists’ Perceptions of Safety in Radiation Therapy and Using a Patient-provider Collaborative Checklist to Engage Patients
Keywords: checklist
checklist design
patient safety
radiation therapy
radiotherapy
patient engagement
anxiety
patient anxiety
STAI
clinical engineering
safety
quality assurance
qualitative analysis
thematic analysis
state trait anxiety inventory

Approximately 52% of cancer patients require radiation therapy during the progression of their illness. Radiation therapy is a safe procedure; however, errors may occur and have the potential to harm patients. Recent studies have looked at patient engagement as a means of preventing errors in healthcare. Through interviews and focus groups, this study looks at patients’ and radiation therapists’ current perceptions of safety in radiation therapy and whether they feel that patient engagement in the form of a patient-provider collaborative checklist can improve its safety or the perception of safety. Through workflow observations and literature reviews, a patient-provider collaborative checklist was developed. Furthermore, STAI surveys were conducted to document the progression of patient anxiety through treatment. Feedback from radiation therapists demonstrated their opinions on the usability of the final iteration of the patient-provider collaborative checklist and how it could fit into the clinical setting.
Determining the Factors Contributing to Electronic Referral System Adoption by Radiation Oncologists through User-centred Design
Keywords: eHealth
referral
e-health
eReferral
e-referral
healthcare
clinical engineering
TAM
DOI
user centered design
UCD
usability
usability engineering
technology adoption

This study aimed to utilize usability engineering methods in order to identify facilitators and barriers to electronic referral system adoption by radiation oncologists at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and provide recommendations for electronic referral system design. Analyses included workflow analysis of radiation oncologists reviewing referrals, belief elicitation interviews with radiation oncologists, a heuristic evaluation of an existing electronic referral system interface, and cognitive walkthrough of that interface with radiation oncologists. Based on these findings, the system interface was redesigned using mock-up software to address identified usability issues. The existing and redesigned interfaces were compared using observational usability testing with radiation oncologists. The redesigned system interface yielded reduced task times and enhanced user satisfaction as compared to the existing interface. Thus, user-centred design was useful in determining facilitators and barriers to e-referral adoption.
Design, Fabrication, and Testing of an Integrated Optical Hydrogen and Temperature Sensor
Keywords: Hydrogen Sensor
Palladium
Temperature Sensor
Optical Nose

In this thesis, the details of the design, fabrication, and characterization of an optical, integrated hydrogen gas and temperature sensor are explored. The hydrogen sensor is implemented by coating a ridge waveguide with a thin layer of palladium and shows very good response time and detection response for hydrogen concentrations ranging from 0.5-4%, both of which compare very favourably to similar existing technologies. Multiple film thicknesses were tested and it was found that thinner films give a faster response time at the expense of a reduced detection response. The temperature sensor is implemented with a multi-mode interferometer coupled ring resonator and has a sensing range of 100 K with good sensitivity. Both sensors are fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator platform and could easily be integrated together onto a single chip as part of an optical nose technology that would have the ability to sense multiple environmental factors simultaneously.
The Role of Amygdala Cholecystokinin and Parvalbumin Expressing Neurons in the Acoustic Startle Reflex in Mice
Keywords: acoustic startle
parvalbumin
cholecystokinin
pharmacogenetics

Parvalbumin (PV) and cholecystokinin (CCK) proteins are found in the basolateral amygdala nuclei, particularly in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons. PV+ neurons were localized to the basolateral amygdala and they expressed the GABA neuron marker glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). Here, we used Cre recombinase mouse lines to induce expression of mutant muscarinic inhibitory (hM4D) and excitatory (hM3D) receptors on PV+ or CCK+ neurons. Activation of the mutant receptors with clozapine-n-oxide (CNO) was used to measure how amygdala neural changes affect the acoustic startle reflex (ASR). Excitation of amygdala PV+ neurons potentiated the ASR. Activation of basolateral amygdalar CCK+ neurons potentiated the ASR and caused seizures, possibly by activating glutamate CCK+ neurons. The CCK+ subset of GAD neurons were targeted with a new triple transgenic mouse line (Dlx5-flpe/CCK-Cre/FrePe) to show that most CCK+ neurons were GAD negative. These findings are compared with optogenetic approaches to target specific neuronal populations.
Identifying Novel MicroRNA Enhancers of Somatic Cell Reprogramming
Keywords: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell
MicroRNA
iPSC
Reprogramming
miRNA
miR-214

In addition to the well-characterized Induced Pluripotent Stem cells (iPSCs) that closely resemble Embryonic Stem cells (ESCs), a recent study has proven the existence of a stable state, resembling partially reprogrammed cells, termed F-class iPSCs. To study these distinct iPSC states, a reprogramming dataset has been generated, featuring the parallel analysis of multiple molecular platforms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA regulators of gene expression whose critical role in reprogramming is now being realized. In the present study, small RNA deep sequencing data from this novel reprogramming dataset was used to identify miRNAs that are likely to enhance reprogramming by detecting significantly up-regulated miRNAs in ESC-like iPSCs versus F-class iPSCs. These candidate miRNAs were cloned and overexpressed in reprogramming mouse embryonic fibroblasts and their effect on reprogramming efficiency was measured. miR-214 was discovered to increase iPSC generation efficiency, marking the first reprogramming-related role for this microRNA.
Neural Action of Androgens in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Brain Clock
Keywords: SCN
Androgens

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the locus of a master circadian clock that is critical in the temporal organization of circadian activity. The SCN coordinates the rhythmic secretion of gonadal hormones, and in turn, reproductive hormones may act on their receptors within the SCN to alter circadian function. Using transgenic mice that over-express androgen receptor (AR) only in neurons, the current study investigated the influence of neural AR on the function of the SCN. In particular, it addressed the effects of androgens on circadian behaviours as well as physiological responses to light within the SCN by measuring Fos response after a phase-shifting light pulse. It was found that transgenic mice demonstrate a smaller increase in Fos expression in response to a light pulse than do wildtypes. Interpretations of our findings, including the possible functional significance of AR within the SCN, are discussed.
Law as Information Processes
Keywords: Information
Theory
Processing
Law
Intake
Output
Organization
Design

This thesis describes a new theoretical framework for characterizing legal systems and legal thought. Broadly speaking, legal systems can be characterized as undertaking three functional activities: the intake, processing and distribution of information. The thesis defines and explains what those three activities consist of, their interrelation and describes some of the emergent phenomena which arise as a result of their co-existence. Additionally, examples are provided which show elements of legal systems having behavior neatly predicted by information-first methods of analysis. The aim is to develop information-related tools to understand the function of legal systems and subsystems in society by reference to those three activities, and a robust set of fields and concepts are presented for future development.
Children’s Moral Emotions and Negative Emotionality: Predictors of Early-onset Antisocial Behaviour
Keywords: antisocial behaviour
guilt
sympathy
negative emotionality
experience-based sampling

This study examined links between antisocial behaviour, moral emotions (i.e., sympathy and guilt), and negative emotionality in an ethnically diverse sample of 4- and 8-year-old children (N = 79). Primary caregivers reported their children’s antisocial behaviour, sympathy, and negative emotionality through a questionnaire and across a 10-day span via daily diary entries (n = 474 records). In a semi-structured interview, children reported their sympathy levels and guilt feelings. Children with high guilt in harm contexts and low negative emotionality were rated as less antisocial in both questionnaire and diary reports. For children with low guilt in exclusion contexts, low sympathy ratings predicted higher questionnaire-reported antisocial behaviour. For children with high guilt in prosocial omission contexts, high sympathy ratings predicted lower diary-reported antisocial behaviour. Lastly, high sympathy ratings predicted lower questionnaire-reported antisocial behaviour for children with low negative emotionality.
The Effect of Light Emitting Diode Phototherapy on the Rate of Orthodontic Tooth Movement - A Clinical Study
Keywords: orthodontics
tooth movement
phototherapy
light emitting diode
led
rate
clinical
otm
space closure
orthodontic

Increasing the rate of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) can reduce risks such as periodontal disease and caries. This study investigated whether light emitting diode (LED) phototherapy could accelerate the rate of OTM. Orthodontic patients with bilaterally symmetric extraction of premolars were recruited. During space closure, LED phototherapy was applied to one side of the dental arch for a specified time and the contralateral side acted as the control. Space closure was measured immediately prior to, during and later in space closure. All 11 patients were compliant with LED application. The results revealed no significant changes in the rate of OTM with LED phototherapy over 3 months of extraction space closure. The findings were contrary to previous findings with laser phototherapy and could be related to the dosage or method of LED phototherapy delivery. Further investigations are needed to determine whether LED phototherapy application can influence the rate of OTM.
Axiomatized Relationships between Ontologies
Keywords: ontology
ontologies
axiomatization
modularization
first-order logic
dolce
cimosa
psl
verification
ontology mapping
ontology decomposition
ontology composition
semantic augmentation
automated reasoning

This work focuses on the axiomatized relationships between different ontologies of varying levels of expressivity. Motivated by experiences in the decomposition of first-order logic ontologies, we partially decompose the Descriptive Ontology for Linguistic and Cognitive Engineering (DOLCE) into modules. By leveraging automated reasoning tools to semi-automatically verify the modules, we provide an account of the meta-theoretic relationships found between DOLCE and other existing ontologies. As well, we examine the composition process required to determine relationships between DOLCE modules and the Process Specification Language (PSL) ontology. Then, we propose an ontology based on the semantically-weak Computer Integrated Manufacturing Open System Architecture (CIMOSA) framework by augmenting its constructs with terminology found in PSL. Finally, we attempt to map two semantically-weak product ontologies together to analyze the applications of ontology mappings in e-commerce.
Investigating the Role of Autophagy in Intracellular Apolipoprotein B Traffic and Very-low-density-lipoprotein Assembly and Secretion
Keywords: Apolipoprotein B
Very-low-density-lipoprotein
Autophagy
Lipophagy
Lipid droplets

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) is the main protein of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). As apoB is translated and moves through the secretory pathway, lipids from cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) are added to form VLDL particles. Without adequate lipid availability, apoB is misfolded and undergoes proteasomal degradation; however, evidence now shows that apoB can be degraded through autophagy. Inhibiting autophagy decreased apoB localization to autophagosomes in HepG2 cells, but also decreased apoB recovered from cells and media. Inducing autophagy increased apoB localization to autophagosomes and decreased apoB recovery. LDs are also degraded through autophagy however LDs were not affected by autophagy modulation in HepG2 cells. In primary hamster hepatocytes, inhibiting autophagy reduced apoB-autophagosome co-localization and increased LD numbers. These data suggest that autophagy may play a complex role in VLDL assembly by regulating degradation of both apoB and LDs. This dual role is more evident in primary hepatocytes indicating a potential physiological role.
Single Microphone Tap Localization
Keywords: computer engineering
machine learning

This thesis explores a single microphone tap localization interface for smartphones - Extended Touch(ET), that detects user-tapped locations on any neighboring surface. The algorithm combines accelerometer and microphone detection making it robust to noise, and does not require knowledge of surface parameters or sensor positioning. It uses acoustic signal as the feature vector and solves for tap inference in two phases - training and detection. The training phase builds a prior-model of the system by storing one or more templates of known tap locations. These templates are used in the detection phase to carry out a k-nearest neighbor classification to detect new tap locations. The algorithm achieves a 92% detection rate on knock taps. A method to detect contiguous tap locations is also proposed.
Effects of Cadmium on Actin Glutathionylation and Focal Adhesions
Keywords: cadmium toxicology
glutathionylation
ROS
actin cytoskeleton
focal adhesions
CaMK-II

The toxic metal ion cadmium (Cd2+) is pro-oxidant and specifically disrupts the actin cytoskeleton in renal mesangial cells. This study investigated the role of Cd2+-mediated redox modulation of actin through protein S-glutathionylation and the effects of cytoskeletal changes on focal adhesions (FAs) through a Ca2+/calmodulin dependent-protein kinase II (CaMK-II) pathway. Only at low concentrations of Cd2+ (0.5-2 μM) was there an increase in actin glutathionylation, which was a reactive oxygen species-independent, total glutathione-dependent effect. Immunofluorescence of the cytoskeleton suggests that increases in glutathionylation levels occurring under low [Cd2+] are protective in vivo. Higher concentrations (>= 10 μM) of Cd2+ resulted in loss of vinculin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) from FAs, concomitant with cytoskeletal disruption. Inhibition of CaMK-II preserved cytoskeletal integrity and focal contacts, while decreasing the migration of FAK-phosphoTyr925 to a membrane-associated compartment. This study adds further insight into the Cd2+-mediated effects on the cytoskeleton and FAs.
Synthesis and Characterization of New Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes
Keywords: luminescence
lanthanides

Luminescent lanthanide complexes are gaining an increasing amount of interest for their applications in various fields such as OLEDs, immunoassays, analytical sensors, and optical communication. They are promising candidates as light-emitting materials in OLEDs to overcome the difficulty of obtaining pure emission colors with conjugated polymers or small organic molecules. N,N-di(pyridin-2-yl)quinolin-8-amine, a novel blue-emitting ligand, was synthesized to coordinate to europium(III). Experimental studies led to insights of its reactivity with europium acetylacetonate complexes. A new Eu(III) complex based on the diazafluorene ligand was synthesized. A sharp emission band was observed, demonstrating that the Eu(III) ion was effectively sensitized by the intramolecular energy transfer of the ligand. Sensitization of europium(III) by the 3MLCT energy based on an iridium complex-ligand in a d-f bimetallic assembly was previously found to emit red light when irradiated with sunlight. 1-(quinolin-8-yl)butane-1,3-dione, a novel bridging ligand, was synthesized to prepare Eu-Ir complexes with potentially enhanced efficiencies.
Optimization and Modeling of FPGA Circuitry in Advanced Process Technology
Keywords: FPGA
circuit design
advanced process technology
optimization
modeling
transistor sizing
transmission gate FPGA

We develop a new fully-automated transistor sizing tool for FPGAs that features area, delay and wire load modeling enhancements over prior work to improve its accuracy in advanced process nodes. We then use this tool to investigate a number of FPGA circuit design related questions in a 22nm process. We find that building FPGAs out of transmission gates instead of the currently dominant pass-transistors, whose performance and reliability are degrading with technology scaling, yields FPGAs that are 15% larger but are 10-25% faster depending on the allowable level of "gate boosting''. We also show that transmission gate FPGAs with a separate power supply for their gate terminal enable a low-voltage FPGA with 50% less power and good delay. Finally, we show that, at a possible cost in routability, restricting the portion of a routing channel that can be accessed by a logic block input can improve delay by 17%.
Spatial Criteria Used in IUCN Assessment Overestimate Area of Occupancy for Freshwater Taxa
Keywords: Area of Occupancy
IUCN
freshwater conservation
quantitative spatial criteria
biological relevance
fish distribution
risk designation
COSEWIC
threatened fishes
threatened molluscs

Area of Occupancy (AO) is a frequently used indicator to assess and inform designation of conservation status to wildlife species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The applicability of the current grid-based AO measurement on freshwater organisms has been questioned due to the restricted dimensionality of freshwater habitats. I investigated the extent to which AO influenced conservation status for freshwater taxa at a national level in Canada. I then used distribution data of 20 imperiled freshwater fish species of southwestern Ontario to (1) demonstrate biases produced by grid-based AO and (2) develop a biologically relevant AO index. My results showed grid-based AOs were sensitive to spatial scale, grid cell positioning, and number of records, and were subject to inconsistent decision making. Use of the biologically relevant AO changed conservation status for four freshwater fish species and may have important implications on the subsequent conservation practices.
The Surrogate Country System for WTO Antidumping Investigations against Non-market-economy Countries: China as an Example
Keywords: Surrogate Country System
NME countries
WTO
Antidumping Law

This thesis examines the Surrogate Country System adopted by WTO members in their antidumping investigations against non-market-economy (NME) countries. In this paper, the Author points out that the existing relevant WTO regulations can easily become importing countries' tool of protectionism. Meanwhile, the obvious legal gap in the WTO laws helps the protectionism by leaving large discretion to importing countries. To reveal the irrationalities of the Surrogate Country System, this paper uses China, a typical NME country, as a sample to display how the system is applied in practice. Then, the paper examines the irrationalities of existing regulations. Towards above issues, the Author puts forward several proposals in Chapter 4. The Author argues for distinguishing transformational countries from NME countries. In cases involving transformational countries, the Author proposes a three-step methodology to calculate the normal value. The Author also provides several strategies for Chinese Government and exporters.
Electrical Properties and Band Diagram of InSb-InAs Nanowire Type-III Heterojunctions
Keywords: Nanowire
III-V semiconductor
Nanotechnology
Electron Beam Induced Current

The electrical properties of nanowire-based n-InSb-n-InAs heterojunctions grown by chemical beam epitaxy were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. This heterostructure presented a type-III band alignment with the band bendings at 0.12 eV for InAs side and 0.16 − 0.21 eV in InSb. Analysis of the temperature dependent current voltage characteristics showed that the current through the heterojunction is caused mostly by generation-recombination processes in the InSb and at the heterointerface. Due to the partially overlapping valence band of InSb and the conduction band of InAs, the second process was fast and activationless. Theoretical analysis showed that, depending on the heterojunction parameters, the flux of non-equilibrium minority carriers may have a different direction, explaining the experimentally observed non-monotonic coordinate dependence of the electron beam induced current at the vicinity of heterointerface.
Integration, Test and Operation of the BRIght Target Explorer Payload
Keywords: BRITE
nanosatellite
photometry

The BRIght Target Explorer mission consists of six nanosatellites, each equipped with an instrument capable of capturing defocused images of stars suitable for milli-magnitude accuracy differential photometry. BRITE is expected to provide information about the dynamics and life cycles of bright stars. The satellites are funded in pairs by Austria, Poland and Canada and designed at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, Space Flight Laboratory. The present thesis document summarizes the contribution of the author to this project. This includes unit level integration, calibration, functional testing and science acceptance testing of the two BRITE Canada payloads; high level assembly and spacecraft level testing of the BRITE Canada spacecraft; sun stare testing and ground based observations of stars with engineering model instruments; launch campaign functional testing and preparations of UniBRITE, the first BRITE satellite funded by Austria; and on-orbit operations of UniBRITE.