VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Determination of Key Factors Affecting Start-Up Phase Particulate Matter Emissions in a Modern Wood Stove
Keywords: combustion
emissions
pm
smoke
wood
wood stove

This research investigates the effect of inlet air flow-rate and airflow location on PM emissions during the start-up phase in a modern wood stove. To do this, the airflow directed towards the fuel bed was increased over the start-up period and compared to the baseline case. The experimental setup consists of a wood stove equipped with instruments to measure temperature, wood burn-rate, O2 and CO2 volume fractions, and the PM emission rate over time. An order of magnitude reduction in start-up phase PM emissions per unit of energy was found when adding additional fuel-bed air during start-up. Furthermore, it was observed that an excess amount of secondary air entered the wood stove during the start-up phase, leading to sub-optimal combustion conditions. In future studies, it is recommended to further optimize the primary and secondary airflow rates during start-up and to further standardize the test methodology to reduce variance.
The Impact of Menstrual Phase on Outcomes of Females with Concussion
Keywords: Brain Injury
Concussion
menstrual cycle
post concussion symptoms
Sex
Women's Health

This study examined the impact of menstrual phase, oral contraceptive use and post-menopausal status (collectively referred to as reproductive states) during time of injury on female post-concussion outcomes during the acute phase of recovery. A total of 83 female participants (ages 17 - 71) recruited from a concussion clinic at a rehabilitation hospital were included in the analysis. Personal health information and Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire (RPCQ) scores were collected. Descriptive, bivariate regression and multivariable regression models were performed. The reproductive states were not associated with RPCQ scores during the first week of recovery; however, females taking oral contraceptives had significantly higher RPCQ scores two weeks post-injury. The other reproductive states do not appear related to RPCQ scores up to 2 weeks post injury. Being on birth control was independently associated with more symptomatology.
Modelling of Endothelial Cell Migration and Angiogenesis in Microfluidic Cell Culture Systems
Keywords: angiogenesis
computational modelling
endothelium
vasculature

Tumour-induced angiogenesis involves growth of new blood vessels from existing vasculature in response to signals induced by the undernourished part of tumour tissue. Due to high costs and ethical issues associated with in vivo experiments, significant efforts have been undertaken to develop computational models and physiologically relevant 3D in vitro assays to study angiogenesis in a highly controllable and accessible manner. Our goal was to utilize existing modelling techniques and apply them to an in vitro environment to model endothelial cell (EC) migration and angiogenesis inside the tubeless microfluidic angiogenesis assay. Here we leverage two continuum models which are implemented using the Method of Lines and discretized in space using the finite difference approximation. The aim was to simulate EC angiogenic response under different VEGF concentrations and investigate microfluidic device geometry as a potential parameter that can accelerate angiogenesis.
Parental Communication and Reflective Practice among Youth Sport Parents
Keywords: Parent-child communication
Parenting practices
Parenting styles
Reflective practice
Self-awareness
Youth sport

Parents can enhance their children’s intrinsic motivation, and competence by providing positive feedback and encouraging them to become involved in decision making and problem-solving activities (Babkes Weiss, 1999); however, there is limited research available that has demonstrated how parents might learn to engage in these supportive behaviours with their child. Thus, the purpose of this research was to examine whether increasing parents’ awareness of communication influences parent-athlete communication behaviours. Ten athletes between 13-15 years of age, and one of their parents were recruited (total N = 20). Parents and athletes completed pre- and post-study interviews and surveys. Parents also participated in a workshop and completed at least one audio diary entry per week over the course of six weeks. The findings indicated that reflective practice and increased awareness of parent-child communication led parents to engage in more autonomy supportive parenting, and to be less critical of their child’s performance.
CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK (CIRAF)
Keywords: bayesian network
fragility
functionality
resilience
software

Disruptive events (e.g., earthquakes or floods) causes severe damage to civil infrastructural systems, and there is need to extend the focus of traditional design practices to include resilience-based design techniques which can help in defining preventive actions and measures to mitigate their effect. This study presents a framework to assess fragility and resilience of a single or interconnected civil infrastructural system following a disruptive event. Once the specifications regarding the infrastructural system, fragility databases, component's damage state correlation, recovery models, and upgrade models are identified, then the framework can be used to quantify overall resilience following an extreme event. A state of the art engineering tool is also developed using the framework that would enable the stakeholders to compare different upgrade strategies through an easy to use web interface. A case study of typical nuclear power plant is used to assess resilience by considering multiple upgrade strategies using the framework.
THE PREVALENCE OF VESTIBULAR AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN SENIORS EXPERIENCING FALLS AND A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON A VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN SENIORS WITH FALLS, VESTIBULAR IMPAIRMENT AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Keywords: Balance
Cognitive Impairment
Falling
Geriatrics
Vestibular Impairment
Vestibular Rehabilitation

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) and vestibular impairment (VI) increase fall risk.VI prevalence was assessed at fall prevention programs (FPPs). Feasibility of a vestibular rehabilitation (VR) was tested for patients with CI and VI, experiencing falls. Methods: VI prevalence was assessed at FPPs. The feasibility of a 12-week VR program was tested at a Memory clinic in patients with VI, CI and experiencing falls. Results: In FPPs 26/29 (89.7%) seniors had VI, 23/29 (79.3%) had CI and 20/29 (69.0%) had both. Of 424 Memory Clinic patients, 49.1% experienced falls (27.0%-no falls; 23.7%-missing fall history). 23.2% patients fell in the past year, 34/48 were contacted, 14/34 agreed to be screened, 12/14 were screened, 8/12 (66.7% prevalence) had a VI and 7/8 (87.5% recruitment) participated; 5-VR and 2-control. 1/7 (85.7% attrition) patient attended follow-up. Conclusion: VI and CI is common in seniors experiencing falls. VR is not feasible for this population.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Peripheral Artery Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, and Concomitant Disease
Keywords: cardiac rehabilitation
cardiorespiratory fitness
coronary artery disease
peripheral artery disease

It is unclear if patients with PAD, CAD, and BOTH (PAD and CAD) differ in clinical profile, exercise prescription, and change in health outcomes at baseline or completion of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Analysis of a CR database (n=9,701) indicated that compared to CAD, PAD and BOTH were older (62.5±11.1 vs. 69±10.7 and 68.6±9.7 years, P<0.01), had lower aerobic fitness (19.7±6.3 vs. 15.4±4.8 and 15±4.3 ml.kg-1.min-1 , P<0.01), more likely to have diabetes (24.8% vs. 36.9% and 41.9%, P<0.01), and prescribed slower exercise paces (84.4±14.1 vs. 72.2±15.0 and 70.0±14.9 meters/minute, P<0.01). There were no significant differences between PAD and BOTH for these characteristics. After matching groups, PAD had a significant, but smaller improvement in VO2peak compared to CAD (1.8±3.3 vs. 2.9±3.6 ml·kg1·min-1, P<0.01) following six months of CR. These results suggest that patients with PAD differ upon entry and respond differently to CR compared to patients with CAD.
Composition of Wildfire-Derived Particulate Matter and Impacts on House Dust after A Major Wildfire
Keywords: Fire Smoke
House Dust
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Wildfires

The wildfires near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada was the costliest disaster in Canadian history to date, burning over 2000 homes in Fort McMurray and over 1.5 million acres of forest land. Since wildfire smoke has been shown to induce pulmonary oxidative stress and contain gene mutagens, there are significant concerns over the long-term health impacts of exposure to wildfire smoke and residual house dust. In this work, we characterize the chemical composition of the smoke generated from the wildfires, and impacts on indoor house dust. Both fire smoke particulate matter and house dust samples were collected in the area, during and after the wildfire respectively. A high-throughput method was developed to extract polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from house dust. The spatial differences are discussed in this report.
Mechanical Accommodations of Science Payloads for an Earth Observation Microsatellite
Keywords: aerosol
aerospace
mechanical
microsatellite
observation
satellite

It has become clear that anthropogenic aerosol emissions have had a distinct impact on global surface temperature and climatic activity over the last century. Traditional methods of atmospheric observation such as ground-based or in-situ aircraft measurements represent laboursome campaigns that are limited to a few weeks. Small satellites for Earth observation provide an accessible platform to scientific organizations that can perform routine measurements over the course of years. To this end, the Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies is developing the DMSat-1 microsatellite on its NEMO platform. This thesis describes the mechanical accommodations for the science payloads: a multispectral polarimeter, and two grating spectrometers. A semi-passive thermal design that ensures acceptable performance of the polarimeter is described, and a structural interface which isolates the payloads from the harsh launch environment is presented. Finally, the development of the spacecraft dispenser system is discussed.
Age differences in selective covert attention and associative memory
Keywords: aging
associative memory
covert selective attention
eye-tracking
inhibitory control
recognition memory

Deficits in inhibitory control are thought to underlie age-related reductions in associative memory, whereby poor inhibitory control facilitates associative priming of task-relevant and task-irrelevant information and enhances subsequent memory for these associations. However, the conditions under which task-irrelevant information influences associative memory are not entirely clear. This study examined the effect of covert selective attention to cued information on subsequent memory for cued and uncued stimuli. At encoding, participants made plausibility judgments for one of two object-color pairs (i.e. cued pair). Subsequent recognition of cued objects was lower in older than younger adults, but recognition of uncued objects did not vary by age. No age differences in associative memory for location or color were observed, though younger adults had better location memory for cued than uncued objects. Color memory was greater for cued than uncued objects for all participants. These findings are discussed within the inhibitory deficit hypothesis framework.
The Collision of Water and n-Heptane Droplets on Heated Sintered Porous Stainless-Steel Surfaces
Keywords: evaporation
impact dynamics
n-heptane
porous media
stainless steel
water

The impact and evaporation of droplets impinging on heated porous substrates is relevant to applications including fire suppression by sprinkler systems, spray cooling of heated surfaces, and the deposition of fuel droplets on combustor walls. An experimental study was completed where pure water and n-heptane droplets were deposited onto hot porous, stainless steel surfaces. Initial surface temperatures were varied from 60°C to 300°C. The impact dynamics were photographed and analyzed via a high-speed camera. The Leidenfrost temperature was found to increase with an increase in the substrates porosity and was achieved with the n-heptane on the 5μm surface at 225°C and on the 100μm surface at 285°C. An empirical model was employed that accurately predicts the evaporation time of the n-heptane droplet in the film boiling regime. Surface temperature variations were measured at the point of impact and heat transfer coefficients were found to decrease with an increase in substrate porosity.
Calcite Scale Formation in the Green Liquor Handling System of the Kraft Chemical Recovery Process
Keywords: calcium carbonate
kraft process
scale
solubility

The formation of calcite (CaCO3) scale in green liquor handling systems is a persistent problem in many kraft pulp mills. CaCO3 precipitates when its concentration in green liquor exceeds its solubility. In this work, a laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of green liquor properties (temperature, TTA, causticity, and sulfidity) on the solubility limits of CaCO3. This new solubility data was used to develop a database of CaCO3 solubility in green liquor using the OLI Systems Inc. software. The second part of this work involved field studies at four kraft pulp mills in Canada and Sweden, to help understand scaling problems affecting the causticizing plants. The results help explain how CaCO3 scale forms in the green liquor handling systems. Understanding how CaCO3 scale is formed helps pulp mills develop viable strategies for mitigating the problem.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effect of Infliximab on General Cognition in a Population of Depressed Individuals with Bipolar Disorder Type I/II
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory medication
Bipolar Depression
Cognition
Inflammation
Infliximab
TNF Inhibitor

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive infliximab in mitigating cognitive symptoms in depressed bipolar individuals. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in outpatients between the ages of 18-65. Participants were randomized to receive adjunctive intravenous infliximab (at 5 mg/kg) or placebo (saline) at week 0, 2, and 6. Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were used to determine cognitive performance. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine significance of between- and within-group effects. Results: Sixty individuals were enrolled (placebo n=31, infliximab n=29). Despite a significant within-group improvement in cognition from week 0 to week 12, there was no significant difference between infliximab and placebo (p>.05). Conclusions: Within-group improvement in cognition may be due to mechanisms yet uncharacterized. Inflammatory pathoetiology of mood disorders provide an impetus to investigate additional anti-inflammatory agents to mitigate transdiagnostic disturbances such as cognitive dysfunction.
THE TRANSITION OF ADSORBED WATER VAPOUR ON SILICA TO ADSORBED WATER
Keywords: Adsorption
Adsorption Isotherm
Condensation
Phase Transition
Silica
Water

An apparatus was constructed to house finely polished fused silica substrate in order to determine the steady-state amount adsorbed per unit area in thermal dis-equilibrium conditions. Moreover, the conditions under which adsorbed vapour transitions into adsorbed liquid were determined. The apparatus was configured to measure the steady-state energy transport during this transition. The thermo-kinetic approach predicts the formation of an adsorbed water vapour film on top of the fused silica substrate with no required sub-cooling. This prediction is seen to be confirmed by our experimental measurements using a UV-visible interferometer. From the equilibrium data published previously, the number of molecules contained in a cluster for thermal equilibrium conditions was calculated to be 82. The maximum number of molecules that a cluster can have for thermal dis-equilibrium conditions was determined to be 154 by using the UV-visible interferometer’s data.
A Vehicle Routing Problem with Movement Synchronization of Drones, Sidewalk Robots, or Foot-Walkers
Keywords: delivery
freight
genetic algorithm
optimization
transportation
vehicle routing

The vehicle routing problem (VRP) and its variants have many city logistics applications, such as goods delivery, mail service, and people movement. The VRP extension with movement synchronization (VRPMS) has potential applications of drone and robot technologies to assist with the delivery of parcels. VRPMS seeks the optimal route for a set of composite resources, e.g. delivery van with drones, or delivery van with sidewalk robots. This paper proposes an exact formulation of the problem, and a metaheuristic approach to solve larger instances of the VRPMS in order to assess the economic benefits of the different technologies. A numerical analysis demonstrates that the sidewalk robot and the foot-walker technology alternatives have greater cost saving potentials than the drone technology alternative. However, depending on future development of the technology, drones can still be a viable solution to assist the delivery of parcels.
Gold Nanoclusters as Upconversion Sensitizers via Triplet-Triplet Annihilation
Keywords: Coumarin
Gold Nanoclusters
Spectroscopy
TCSPC
Triplet-Triplet Annihilation
Upconversion

Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been gaining attention in the field of nanoscience for their optical properties, photostability, and low toxicity. Compared to larger gold nanoparticles, AuNCs are smaller in diameter—usually on the size regime of 1–2 nm. Their atomically precise structures give rise to pseudo–molecular properties, including emissivity and long–lived excited states, which form the focus of this work. We explore the possibility of exploiting emissive AuNCs as sensitizers for optical upconversion, by triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA). This is a nonlinear process involving a triplet sensitizer and a fluorescent acceptor (annihilator), which is measured by an anti–Stokes shift. We successfully synthesize emissive AuNCs and demonstrate that they can be paired with a coumarin–based fluorophore in a common solution, although challenges remain in observing AuNC–sensitized TTA upconversion. We identify further research directions to realize the promise of this new technique for biomedical imaging applications.
Reactive stepping ability of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury
Keywords: balance
reactive
spinal cord injury

Up to 75% of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) experience at least one fall each year. Reactive stepping is one strategy used to prevent falls. Our objective was to describe reactive stepping ability of individuals with incomplete SCI compared to able-bodied adults. Forty-two individuals participated (17 with incomplete SCI). Participants adopted a forward lean position whilst attached to a rigid structure through a horizontal cable positioned at waist height. The release mechanism was unexpectedly triggered to elicit reactive stepping. Behavioural responses (i.e. single step, multi-step, fall) were significantly different between groups whereas movement timing of the stepping leg (i.e. step-off, step contact) was not significantly different. The onset of muscle activation was significantly slower for two lower extremity muscles in participants with SCI compared to able-bodied adults. Reactive stepping ability is likely impaired in individuals with incomplete SCI suggesting reactive balance control should be targeted in SCI rehabilitation.
A quality improvement program to standardize and improve the perioperative management of total knee arthroplasty patients at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada
Keywords: clinical pathway
orthopaedic surgery
process improvement
quality improvement
total knee arthroplasty

We undertook a quality improvement program designed to improve patient outcomes, decrease costs and improve the efficiency of care, and to improve patient experience for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada. Using the model for improvement, we decreased knee buckling (from 45% to 5%), decreased knee immobilizer use (from 7% to
Hydrosilylation of Ketones Catalyzed by Reactive Fe and Co Complexes Constructed from Isolated Picolyl-Functionalized N-Heterocyclic Carbenes
Keywords: free picolyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes
hydrosilylation of ketones
polymethylhydrosiloxane

Silanes are commonly used reducing agents due to their reactive nature and the high earth-abundance of silicon. Many metal complexes are known to catalyze the hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds with high turnover frequencies (TOFs) using reactive hydrosilanes, such as phenylsilane and diphenylsilane. However, when the inexpensive and less reactive polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) is used as the reductant, the reported catalysts have shown low TOFs. Herein, the syntheses of reactive Fe and Co complexes constructed from isolated free picolyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are presented, and their good activities in hydrosilylation of ketones are discussed.
Patched Domain-containing 4 (PTCH53) Identified in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Patient-derived Cells
Keywords: Alternative splicing
Hedgehog signalling
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
p53
Patched
PTCH53

Germline TP53 mutations are the primary underlying etiologic cause of Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Lack of predictability in age-of-onset, cancer phenotypes, and likelihood of subsequent malignancies, highlights the need to understand secondary modifiers beyond germline TP53 status. This study examines the expression profile of PTCH53, a newly reported downstream target of p53, in primary LFS patient-derived fibroblasts. PTCH53 mRNA expression correlates with TP53 status. Overall, lower levels of PTCH53 were observed in TP53 mutant cells. However, PTCH53 can be upregulated upon DNA damage in cells producing wildtype p53 protein. Furthermore, differential expression profiles of four PTCH53 splice variants were detected. Alternative splicing in PTCH53 may result in protein isoforms with a truncated Sterol Sensing Domain. Our results further suggest that DNA damage-induced p53 may activate a signalling cascade involving upregulation of specific PTCH53 variant(s). PTCH53 appears to provide a direct molecular link between the p53 and Hedgehog signalling pathways.
Man's Best Friend is a Therapist's Best Friend: How the Presence of a Dog Influences Therapists and Others' Perceptions of Them
Keywords: human-animal interaction
perception
therapeutic alliance
therapist
therapy

Research shows that others perceive therapists who are accompanied by a dog more positively, compared to when they are alone. However, it is not known whether it is the presence of the dog that causes this, or whether the dog positively influences the affect of the therapist. The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of how the presence of a dog influences others’ perceptions. Therapists were videotaped with and without their dog present. The videos were edited to show the therapists’ faces only. Therefore, even in the dog-present videos, the dogs are not visible. Participants watched the videos online, after which they responded to questionnaires assessing perceptions of the therapist, and willingness to self-disclose to the therapist they saw. Participants provided more positive ratings, and indicated greater willingness to disclose to therapists when therapists were in the presence of their dog compared to when they were not.