VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Steelmaking Process Control using Remote Ultraviolet Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
Keywords: Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
Combustion
Process control
Spectroscopy
Steelmaking

Steelmaking in North America is a multi-billion dollar industry that has faced tremendous economic and environmental pressure over the past few decades. Fierce competition has driven steel manufacturers to improve process efficiency through the development of real-time sensors to reduce operating costs. In particular, much attention has been focused on end point detection through furnace off gas analysis. Typically, off-gas analysis is done with extractive sampling and gas analyzers such as Non-dispersive Infrared Sensors (NDIR). Passive emission spectroscopy offers a more attractive approach to end point detection as the equipment can be setup remotely. Using high resolution UV spectroscopy and applying sophisticated emission line detection software, a correlation was observed between metal emissions and the process end point during field trials. This correlation indicates a relationship between the metal emissions and the status of a steelmaking melt which can be used to improve overall process efficiency.
Access to Deep Sedation and General Anasesthesia Services for Dental Patients: A Survey of Ontario Dentists
Keywords: access
anaesthesia
anesthesia
dental
ontario
sedation

Background: Many patients need deep sedation or general anaesthesia (DS/GA) to undergo dental treatment as a result of fear, anxiety, disability, invasive dentistry, medical illness, or age. Objective: To assess barriers in accessing DS/GA as identified by dentists. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to Ontario dentists (n=5507). Descriptive and regression analyses were performed. Results: With a response rate of 18.3%, one quarter (24.8%) of those surveyed report inadequate access to DS/GA. Those outside the Greater Toronto Area and in rural communities had higher odds of reporting this outcome. General dentists, part-time dentists, urban dentists, and dentists >64 years-old had higher odds of not utilizing DS/GA. Common reasons for not utilizing GA were lack of perceived need and additional costs. Dentists that utilize DS/GA indicate that additional patient costs represent the greatest barrier to care. Conclusion: Access to DS/GA in Ontario is not uniform and major barriers to care exist.
KIR3DL1 Interaction with HLA-B27 is Altered by ERAP1 and Enhanced by MHC Class I Cross-linking
Keywords: Ankylosing Spondylitis
Arthritis
ERAP1
HLA-B27
KIR3DL1
Natural Killer cells

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory arthritis linked to the antigen presenting molecule HLA-B27. The risk of AS is increased in patients possessing endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase-1 (ERAP1) polymorphisms, rs30187 and rs27044, encoding amino acid changes K528 and Q730, respectively. Dysfunction of ERAP1 is hypothesized to cause changes in expression of HLA-B27 peptide-HLA trimer (pHLA) and free heavy chain (FHC) ligands, on antigen presenting cells (APCs), which interact with natural killer (NK) cell receptor, KIR3DL1. Dysregulation of this pathway may be pathogenic in AS. APC cell lines expressing HLA-B27 were found to inhibit cytokine production of KIR3DL1+ NK cells due to decreased APC-NK cell adhesion and possibly activating receptor down-regulation. Blocking pHLA and FHC reveals both conformers inhibit cytokine production through KIR3DL1. KIR3DL1 affinity and HLA-B27 surface expression studies suggest ERAP1 R528 and E730 expression protects from AS by generating sub-optimal pHLA, causing reduced KIR3DL1 affinity and weaker cytokine inhibition.
Adolescent Disconnection from Brain Health and Impact on Brain Health Behaviour Decision-making
Keywords: adolescent
behaviour
brain
health
qualitative

This qualitative content analysis study was preformed to understand the views about brain health held by high school students in grades 9 and 10, and how this impacts their adoption of brain healthy behaviours. Three semi-structured focus groups interviews were held with 23 high school adolescents in the Greater Toronto Area. Three themes regarding participants’ views on brain health emerged from the data analysis: (1) Ambiguous Definition, (2) Lack of Understanding and (3) a Struggle for Relevance. These themes contributed to adolescents feeling disconnected from the topic of brain health and its impact on their present and future lives. This emerged as a barrier to the adoption of healthy brain health behaviours. There is a need to address the divide between the youth of our generation and the topic of brain health through the creation and implementation of more meaningful learning experiences about the brain.
The Effects of Varenicline on Working Memory and Long-term Potentiation in Non-smokers with Schizophrenia
Keywords: Long Term Potentiation
N-back Working Memory
Neurophysiology
Paired Associative Stimulation
Schizophrenia
Varenicline

Background: Deficits in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) system are proposed to underlie vulnerability to nicotine dependence and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Varenicline is a smoking cessation medication that enhances cognition in schizophrenia while treating nicotine dependence, possibly through the modulation of neuroplasticity. Methods: This study assessed the effects of varenicline (1 mg/day) versus placebo on neuroplasticity and working memory in 11 schizophrenia non-smokers and 11 non-smoker healthy subjects, to eliminate the confounding effects of tobacco smoking. Results: Patients with schizophrenia performed worse on the 3-back task compared to healthy subjects. Varenicline enhanced working memory in low-performers only, regardless of diagnosis. Deficits in neuroplasticity were found in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy subjects, which were enhanced with varenicline compared to placebo. Conclusions: Varenicline may be a potential therapeutic option for the remediation of cognitive and neuroplasticity deficits in patients with schizophrenia regardless of smoking status.
Insulin Transcytosis across Adipose Microvascular Endothelial Cells: Mechanism and Physiological Implications
Keywords: caveolae
clathrin
endothelial cell
insulin
TIRF
transcytosis

Transport of insulin across the microvasculature is necessary to reach its target organs (e.g. adipose and muscle) and is rate-limiting in insulin action. We report an approach to study insulin transcytosis across primary human adipose microvascular endothelial cells (HAMEC), involving insulin uptake followed by vesicle-mediated exocytosis visualized by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. In this setting, fluorophore-conjugated insulin exocytosis depended on its initial binding and uptake, which was saturable. Unlike its degradation within muscle cells, insulin was stable within HAMEC and escaped lysosomal colocalization. Insulin transcytosis required dynamin but was unaffected by caveolin-1 knockdown or cholesterol depletion. Instead, insulin transcytosis was significantly inhibited by both a clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor and siRNA-mediated clathrin-depletion. Accordingly, insulin internalized for 1 minute in HAMEC colocalized with clathrin far more than with caveolin-1. This study constitutes the first evidence of vesicle-mediated insulin transcytosis and highlights that its initial uptake is clathrin-dependent and caveolae-independent.
Factors of Identity Disturbance and Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
Keywords: Borderline Personality Disorder
Emotion Dysregulation
Identity Disturbance
Impulsivity
Narrative Construction
Self-Reflection

Currently, there is a dearth of research investigating identity disturbance in borderline personality disorder (BPD). In this study, identity disturbance was hypothesized to encompass two lower order facets: Deficits in Narrative Construction and Deficits in Self-Reflection. Another purpose was to investigate how identity disturbance is related to two other symptoms of BPD: Emotion Dysregulation and Impulsivity. Participants were recruited and completed a series of self-report questionnaires and wrote four key life events. Overall, the two factors of identity disturbance were found, but the higher-order structure was not supported. A four oblique factor model of BPD traits fit the data best. Results indicated that Emotion Dysregulation, Impulsivity, and Deficits in Self-Reflection were all positively related to a measure of BPD symptoms, while Deficits in Narrative Construction was negatively related to this measure. Correlations among these factors are also discussed. The findings, limitations, and future directions of the study are discussed.
Evaluating Wood Fines as a Physical Conditioner for Dewatering Biosludge
Keywords: Biosludge
Dewatering
Physical Conditioner
Skeleton Builder
Waste Activated Sludge
Wood Fines

Wood fines are sometimes used to improve biosludge dewatering and to supplement primary sludge, but how they improve biosludge dewaterability is not well understood. Wood fines (0-78% moisture content, dosages of 50-300%), and primary sludge fibres are added to biosludge, dewatered with a Crown Press, and evaluated with a mass balance. The wood fines used absorb on average 2.8ml of water per gram dry weight, which is more water than they help release. Thus, the increase in the dry solid content of the filter cake is primarily due the dry mass of the wood fines themselves, not an increase in water removal. Primary sludge fibres outperformed wood fines when evaluated on the Crown Press without a polymer, but the two conditioners performed similarly when a polymer was used. In a field study, wood fines are found to be an unsuitable physical conditioner when tested in a laboratory scale screw press.
An Investigation of Anti-LGBT Hate Crime Victimization, Narrative Processing, and Mental Health
Keywords: hate crimes
lesbian
gay
bisexual
transgender
narrative processing

Building on the large body of research that examines the prevalence and severity of anti-LGBT hate crimes, researchers have recently shifted their focus to the intervening cognitive-affective processes that may protect against or exacerbate negative mental health outcomes experienced by victims. The current study contributes to this burgeoning area of research by examining the relationship between narrative processing and mental health. Thirty LGBT participants provided narratives of their hate crime experience and completed measures of posttraumatic symptomology and depression. The narratives were coded for coherence, redemption, and meaning making. Quantitative analyses revealed an inverse correlation between narrative coherence and the severity of posttraumatic symptomology. Qualitative analyses exposed the diverse ways in which victims redeem and find meaning in hate crime events. The significance of these results is discussed within the context of psychotherapy with anti-LGBT hate crime victims.
Use and Effect of Quantitative Clinical Feedback for Learning and Quality Improvement in Anesthesiology
Keywords: Adult learning
Anesthesiology
Delivery of health care
Outcome assessment
Process assessment
Quality Improvement

Providing quantitative performance feedback to individual clinicians and clinical groups has been suggested as a useful strategy to reduce preventable morbidity and mortality within medicine. Anesthesiology groups wishing to design a program of quantitative performance feedback will encounter few published accounts of how such systems are influenced by their contexts and the features that promote effectiveness and usability. Two case studies are presented here which highlight how program design is related to context and perceived effectiveness. Design features which supported usability included prioritizing actionability when choosing metrics, involving the group or end-users during metric creation and goal setting and providing frequent communication of results. Contextual features which were found to support usability included resource availability, a mature safety and learning culture within the organization, and the provision of active leadership to create a sense of purpose, harness motivators and overcome barriers.
Oxytocin, Aggression, and Neural Activity in the Naked Mole-rat
Keywords: Aggression
Naked Mole-Rat
Neural Activity
Oxytocin
Paraventricular Nucleus
Social Status

The neuropeptide Oxytocin (OT) is involved in social bonding and pro-social behaviour, however its role in aggression and social status is less clear. The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) provides a unique model organism in which to study the effects of OT, exhibiting a social hierarchy that emphasizes certain roles for castes within the colony: soldiers defend colonies against outsiders and workers cooperate within the colony. Here, we wanted to determine whether OT is associated with defensive aggression in soldiers. We compared the behaviour of workers and soldiers using a modified resident-intruder paradigm and quantified neural activity of OT neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) using immunohistochemistry. Our results show that soldiers were more aggressive than workers when paired with an unfamiliar animal. However, preliminary analyses of the PVN suggest that workers have greater OT neural activity than soldiers, implying that OT is not associated with aggression in soldiers.
An Exploration of the Role of Influentials in Increasing the Uptake of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
Keywords: Evidence-based nursing
Knowledge translation

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of persons who influence the uptake of evidence-based practice in nursing. Methods: This was a two-phase study. First, a scoping review of the literature was undertaken on influential persons (influentials) in nursing. Second, semi-structured interviews with front-line nurses were conducted using grounded theory. Results: Eleven studies were included in the scoping review and 18 nurses from hospitals in Ontario were interviewed. The results from the initial conceptual framework, scoping review and interviews were triangulated to form a theoretical model. This study found that influentials are credible individuals who use social, educational and leadership characteristics and strategies to change behaviors, attitudes and increase job satisfaction. Other factors of importance are supportive organizational leadership and awareness of barriers. Conclusions: Credible influentials appear to be a promising strategy to influence the uptake of evidence-based practice in nursing.
Human GPCR Interactome and Investigation of the KCTD/beta2-adrenergic Receptor Interactions
Keywords: cell signalling
G-protein coupled receptors
interactome
KCTDs
protein-protein interactions
receptors

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of transmembrane receptors with key roles in regulating signaling pathways targeted by therapeutics. To identify novel components of their pathways, the modified membrane yeast two-hybrid (MYTH) approach was used to generate an interactome of 50 full-length human ligand-unoccupied GPCRs in their native membrane environment. To demonstrate the biological relevance for the GPCR-interactome, I focused on identifying novel interactors of beta-adrenergic GPCRs (beta-ARs) due to their involvement in human diseases. I characterized novel interactors of beta-ARs identified by MYTH, namely KCTDs (K+-channel tetramerization domain containing proteins). To understand beta-AR/KCTD interactions, I studied their specificity, mechanism, and functional importance and determined that KCTD5, 13, and 16 specifically interact with all three beta-ARs (but not all GPCRs), require the presence of the G-protein beta-subunit, and affect pERK levels of beta2-AR. Further study of the molecular functions of these novel interactions may lead to GPCR-based drug discovery.
Citation Use and Identity Construction: Discourse Appropriation in Advanced Academic Literacy Practices
Keywords: Citation practices
Identity construction

Using a case study approach, this research investigated the intersection between citation use and identity construction by examining, as examples of advanced academic literacy practices, referencing in the Discussion sections of 5 completed Masters' theses. To understand how the authors of the theses constructed their identities as educators and researchers, I analysed semi-structured interviews, identity questionnaires, and the Discussion sections of their Masters' theses. I interpreted the data using Ivanič's (1998) framework for the discoursal construction of identity to examine how citation choices contributed to identity formation in graduate students' thesis writing. Analyses revealed connections between citation practices and identity construction. Participants' responses were most frequent for the citation functions of support and alignment. These findings promote an understanding of the processes involved in using others' words and ideas to legitimize knowledge. Consequently, I call for the demystification of academic integrity and pedagogies that recognize the complexities of citation practices.
CD109 Plays a Role in Osteoclastogenesis
Keywords: CD109
osteoclastogenesis
Osteoclast

Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells that arise from the fusion of hematopoietic stem cells from the monocytes-macrophage lineage and play an important role in bone metabolism, specifically in bone resorption. To date, many of the factors involved in Osteoclast fusion remain unclear. The objective of this project was to identify novel factors that regulate Osteoclastogenesis. Methods: microarray, Rt-qPCR and Western blot analysis were performed to identify novel molecules involved in Osteoclastogenesis. A stable CD109 knockdown macrophage cell line was generated using a retroviral shRNA construct. Results: CD109 was identified as a novel molecule that varies its expression during RANKL induced OCG. CD109 KD cell lines showed a deficiency in their osteoclast fusion capacity. Conclusions: pre-osteoclasts express CD109 at different levels while undergoing OCG. CD109 might be an important regulator of OCG although further characterization of its activity is still required.
Screening of a Histone Methyltransferase Inhibitor in Animal Models of Psychiatric Illness
Keywords: depression
drug discovery
epigenetics
histone
psychiatry
schizophrenia

Development of drugs for neuropsychiatric conditions is in crisis, with no mechanistically new medications for treating major mental disorders having been developed in the past 30 years. There is increasing evidence that current antidepressants and antipsychotics can alter epigenetic regulation in the brain. Thus, the epigenetic molecules modulated represent potential new targets for drug development. We screened a small-molecule inhibitor (UNC0642) of the H3K9 (histone-3-lysine-9) methyltransferase, G9a, in animal behaviour models relevant to depression, anxiety and psychosis. We found that acute treatment with UNC0642 produces an antipsychotic-like effect in apomorphine-disrupted pre-pulse inhibition. In addition, we found that chronic treatment with UNC0642 was able to increase time spent in the open arms of the elevated zero maze, indicating an anxiolytic-like effect. Our results suggest that G9a may be a useful target for the development of new drugs aimed at treating psychosis and anxiety.
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation: A Study of the Effects of Stimulation Parameters on Urodynamic Changes in Anesthetized Rats
Keywords: lateral plantar nerve
medial plantar nerve
neuromodulation
overactive bladder
posterior tibial nerve stimulation

Although posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) has been shown in both clinical and animal studies to mediate inhibition of bladder function, our understanding of the role of posterior tibial nerve (PTN) afferents that elicit this reflex is significantly limited. To this end, we investigated the effects of frequency-dependent PTNS in urethane-anesthetized rats undergoing repeated urodynamic fills. Electrical pulses applied at both 5 Hz and 10 Hz resulted in significant decreases in the frequency of bladder contractions during and after 10-minutes of stimulation (acute inhibition and post-stimulation effect). Selective electrical activation of the lateral or medial plantar nerves confirmed that each type of bladder reflex can be elicited by individual subsets of PTN afferents. Our findings indicate that PTNS-evoked bladder reflexes are tuned to specific stimulation frequencies. The neuromodulation of bladder function achieved by selective PTN branch stimulation provides a novel insight into these neural pathways and also suggests potential clinical application.
Traffic Jam, a Large Maf Transcription Factor, Regulates the Formation of the Germline Stem Cell Niche in the Ovary of Drosophila melanogaster
Keywords: oogenesis
germline stem cell niche

Cap cells form a niche for 2-3 germline stem cells (GSCs) in a Drosophila ovariole. Cap cells are organised in a cluster at the base of a terminal filament stalk. The transcription factor Traffic Jam (Tj) is expressed in cap cells, but not in terminal filament and germline cells. In a hypomophic tj mutant, cap cells appear to be specified normally. However, their morphology and behaviour changes and they are integrated into the stalk forming long terminal filaments. This reduces the niche size. Consequently, on average only 1.5 GSCs are present and are maintained properly. In tj null mutants, cap cells appear to be transformed into terminal filament cells. The transformed cells recruit one GSC, but cannot maintain it. Together these data indicate that Tj is required for the formation of cap cells and their organization into a cluster so that they can support 2-3 GSCs.
Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Hudson Bay Sea Ice (1971-2011)
Keywords: 1971-2011
Accelerating Trends
Hudson Bay
Sea Ice
Spatial Trends
Temporal Trends

Previous work has found Hudson Bay seasonal sea ice particularly sensitive to climate change with a strong signal of earlier breakup dates. This work extends the analysis to include eight more years of sea ice data spanning 1971 to 2011. In addition, a spatial analysis using a grid of 36 locations in the Bay was done. The expanded sea ice record revealed stronger and more statistically significant trends than the earlier work, largely due to the accelerated temperature increase observed over the last decade, especially notable with later freeze-up dates. The spatial analysis was done using clustering statistics. Clusters of sea ice data points were found to be consistent with observed patterns of sea ice breakup and freeze-up. Clustering along the coasts for all three metrics had the greatest coherency suggesting that the shoreline provides a constraint that enables the ice within to act in a coherent fashion.
The Effects of Mechanical Ventilation on Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation
Keywords: Ventilator induced lung injury
NETosis

Mechanical ventilation can physically injure the lung and induce a proinflammatory state. Ventilator induced lung injury (VILI) is associated with neutrophil influx into the lung. Neutrophils can release DNA and granule proteins as cytotoxic neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). This project aimed to determine if NETs were formed and contributed to injury in a two-hit LPS/VILI mouse model. We found that the combination of LPS and mechanical ventilation induced generation of NETs. High tidal volume mechanical ventilation increased release of HMGB1, an inducer of NETs, over low tidal volume control. The combination of LPS and high tidal volume was the greatest inducer of IL-1β, another potential inducer of NETs. Intratracheal DNase treatment reduced NETs and attenuated the loss of static compliance in the LPS/VILI model. NETosis represents a novel therapeutic target for VILI.