VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
A datapath compiler with technology portability

In digital signal processing (DSP) ICs and microprocessors, the datapath is the core where all computations are performed. A datapath compiler is generally used to automatically generate layouts for datapaths by taking advantage of the bit-sliced structure presented in datapaths. Conventional datapath compilers focus on using regularity to generate layouts with minimum area, while the timing issues are not well addressed. Some attempts are being made to attack this problem in synthesis tools, which employ logic optimization techniques to synthesize datapaths in a regularity-aware manner, and then generate netlists with placement data to guide the physical design. We approach this problem from the opposite direction, i.e., we start from physical design based on module generation and then plan to incorporate timing optimization techniques into the system in the future. The work presented in the thesis is the first step towards this direction. A datapath compiler has been developed and implemented based on an object-oriented design that allows the future extension for static timing analysis and optimization. The timing issues have not been addressed directly in the thesis. A set of Java classes has been developed for design capture. A new type of over-cell routing algorithm designed specifically for datapaths has been proposed and implemented. This is the first time that a cell layout generation tool has been used to generate cells on the fly in a datapath compiler. Using CLASSIC-SC for cell generation is also the main reason that we can achieve technology portability. Other features of the datapath compiler include parameterization in bit width, the ability to deal with the irregularity that exists in real-world datapaths, and a GUI for capturing designs, displaying and exporting layouts. A comparison with a custom layout shows that this new datapath compiler can produce comparable layouts in area while being technology portable.
In vivo characterization of R/S-and R-[11C]SKF 82957 as a D1 agonist radioligand for pet, effect of drugs acting on the dopamine system

Rationale. D$\sb1$ receptors exist in two interconvertable states, the high- and low-affinity state. D$\sb1$ antagonists do not differentiate between these states and bind to the total density of D$\sb1$ receptors in in vitro assays. In theory, only D$\sb1$ agonists can bind selectively to the high affinity state of D$\sb1$ receptors. As the high-affinity state is believed to be the functional state of the receptor, changes in the proportion of D$\rm\sb1\sp{HIGH}$ may play a role in a number of human disorders where D$\sb1$ receptors have been implicated. Objectives. The objectives of this project include determining the in vivo binding of the pure enantiomer R- ($\sp{11}$C) SKF 82957 in rats and comparing this binding profile to that of the racemic R/S- ($\sp{11}$C) SKF 82957. The effect of endogenous dopamine on in vivo R/S- ($\sp{11}$C) SKF 82957 binding in D$\sb1$ rich regions was examined. In addition, the effect of chronic treatments with the D$\sb1$ antagonist SCH 23390 and the indirect dopamine agonist cocaine on binding of R/S- and R- ($\sp{11}$C) SKF 82957 was determined and compared to that of ($\sp{11}$C) SCH 23390. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Transport properties of thymidine and its analog, zidovudine (ZDV) by microglia cells, relevance to HIV-1 encephalopathy and AIDS dementia

In the CNS, HIV-1 infects predominantly microglia and brain macrophages. Zidovudine ('ZDV') has been shown to reach brain parenchyma in relatively significant levels and be effective in the management of AIDS and/or AIDS dementia complex patients. Multiple transporters have been identified to be involved in the permeation of nucleosides and nucleoside drugs by a number been identified to be involved in the permeation of nucleosides and nucleoside drugs by a number of cells. The objective of this work was to characterize the uptake properties of thymidine and its analog, 'ZDV' by a continuous microglia cell line (MLS-9) derived from Wistar rat neopallial tissue and grown as a monolayer on an impermeable surface. The present work is the first report documenting in microglia the functional activity of a Na+-dependent nucleoside and a H+/organic cation transporter. Their modulation could have significant clinical implications in the pathogenesis and/or treatment of HIV infection. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Evaluation of thermal spray coatings with peel adhesion test PAT

This report presents a set of experiments conducted using the peel adhesion test, "PAT", to evaluate the adhesion of a coating on different substrates as well as the adhesion of the coating on substrates with different surface roughness. Finally the effect of two different particle sizes of Ni powder on the adhesion of Ni coatings was examined. These results then were analyzed to correlate the measured adhesion with microstructural features. It was found that the adhesion of the coating to the softer, lower melting point materials is the highest when studying the effect of different substrate materials. Different surface treatment proved that grit blasting is changing the plastic deformation energy of the foil and causing the diagrams to fluctuate, therefore, grinding was chosen to be the surface treatment for the rest of experiments. With less porosity and a denser structure, large particle size coating showed a superior performance to the small particle size coating both in adhesion value and coating quality.
Development of dermal acellular matrix and acellular matrix/hyaluronan constructs for chronic skin wound applications

Chronic non-healing wounds constitute a significant medical problem with substantial economic impact. Dermal acellular matrix and acellular matrix/hyaluronan constructs were developed for chronic skin wound applications. Acellular matrix was derived from porcine skin using a multistep detergent-enzymatic extraction process tint removed nearly all cells and membrane-associated antigens. Hyaluronan, a cellular-derived glycosaminoglycan crucial in wound healing, was incorporated into acellular matrix by centrifugation. The inflammatory responses induced by the acellular matrix and acellular constructs were assessed subcutaneously in BALB/c and athymic node mice for three days, one week, two weeks, and four weeks As shown histologically, the implants became surrounded by fibrous capsules with mixed inflammatory infiltrates including neutrophils and macrophages. At each timepoint, 1 mm thick acellular matrix and acellular matrix/hyaluronan constructs induced similar inflammatory responses in mice of the same species. Also at each timepoint, inflammatory responses in athymic nude mice appeared milder than those in BALB/c mice.
In search of global civil society: A critical exploration

This study explores and critically examines the global civil society construct. In this period of economic globalization, there is tremendous optimism that non-state actors, such as transnational social movements, can take a leading role in representing the world's poor and marginalized to challenge the existing structures of oppression and exploitation. This study explores the diverse and contending meanings of global civil society, and argues against any attempts to advance a simplistic, uncritical adoption of the term. In contrast this study contends that the global civil society construct is fraught with ambiguity, contradictions, biases, gaps and euro-centric assumptions. Hence, although there is a need to make sense of the changing landscape of international politics, this study reveals that global civil society is a more problematic, than useful construct to employ, in order to explain and explore the processes of international activism and resistance to globalization.
Statistical analysis of medical images with applications to neuroimaging

We extend a classical multivariate technique: Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and apply it in the analysis of PET and fMRI images of human brain function to discover regions of activation driven by the experimental stimuli. We re-examine and specialize some equivalences between LDA and: Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) and Multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA). Furthermore, efficient algorithms are derived to facilitate applying these multivariate models to extremely large image data. We deal with the ill-posed nature of the problem using spatial basis expansion and the penalization (with Penalized Discriminant Analysis (PDA) of Hastie et al. (1995)), and utilize efficient measures of predictive performance to optimize hyperparameters and validate the models in a robust fashion. We examine expanding the images into a 3D tensor-product B-spline and Wavelet basis and compare to the results obtained without expansion. Some parallels between our proposal and some of those currently popular in the neuroimage community are discussed. Another extension to PDA is derived and applied that allows one to model time series effects that exist in fMRI images. We conclude with many possible enhancements to the proposed paradigm.
Identification and characterization of proteins that interact with myocyte enhancer factor 2, E12, and smooth muscle LIM proteins

Protein-protein interactions govern many cellular processes, such as skeletal muscle differentiation. Proteins of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) myogenic regulators (MyoD family) are pivotal regulators of myogenesis and can form heterodimers with E2A proteins (bHLH proteins) or myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) to regulate skeletal muscle specific gene expression. In contrast, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanism of smooth muscle development. How the differentiation of smooth muscle is regulated and why they proliferate under pathological conditions are largely unknown. The presence of MEF2-binding sites in the regulatory regions of many muscle specific genes that are expressed in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle cells, suggests that MEF2 may be a common component of the differentiation programs in muscle. Thus, the regulatory mechanism governing the activity of MEF2 is an area of interest. Protein-protein interactions have been shown to regulate the activities of transcription factors. MEF2, E12, and smooth muscle LIM (SM-LIM) proteins contain the MADS/MEF2, HLH, and LIM domains, respectively, which are capable of mediating protein-protein interactions. Identification of smooth muscle factors that interact with MEF2, E12, and SM-LIM, would help determine how the activities of these proteins are regulated and elucidate the mechanism of smooth muscle differentiation. Here, a vascular smooth muscle cDNA library was constructed and screened using the yeast two hybrid system. While no protein was found to interact with SM-LIM, Id proteins were shown to interact with E12. ERK5/BMK1 (a mitogen-activated protein kinase) and ß-catenin were among the several MEF2-interacting partners identified. These interactions were confirmed by 'in vitro ' binding and co-immunoprecipitation assays. ERK5 phosphorylated MEF2 and selectively enhanced the transcriptional activity of certain MEF2 isoforms. The MADS/MEF2 domains, putative protein-protein interaction interfaces of MEF2, were found to mediate the interaction. ß-catenin is a transcriptional co-activator. Overexpression of ß-catenin did not affect the activity of MEF2C. The functional role of the MEF2/ß-catenin interaction remains elusive. Overall, these results expand our understanding about the signal transduction leading to the activation of MEF2. Further analysis of the other MEF2-interacting proteins may provide more answers regarding how MEF2 exerts its effects and identify the regulators of smooth muscle differentiation.
Accuracy Criteria and Finite Element Study of a Highly Saturated Magnetic Device with a Large Air-gap

The Finite Element Method has been frequently used to obtain a reliable virtual prototype of a device. The accuracy of the device model gains considerable importance when measured data are not available for comparison. This thesis proposes to use Ampere's circuital law to obtain a global accuracy criterion, Ampere's law error, which measures the accuracy of the FE model and solutions. The C-shaped magnet of an open-concept Magnetic Resonance Imaging system is used as the focus for this thesis. Being three-dimensional, highly saturated, and having a large air-gap, the open-concept MRI magnet represents an interesting modeling challenge. The objective of the thesis is thus to use this device as a vehicle to explore accuracy issues when modeling saturated, 3D, non-symmetric magnetostatic devices. A stable 3D modeling approach is developed that encloses the MRI magnet in a spherical FE volume, the exterior surface of which can represent the true infinite boundary condition. A FE model of the MRI magnet is thus developed and studied. It is concluded that the average and standard deviation of Ampere's law errors provide a valid global accuracy measure for this class of FE solutions. A 'selection' study is also necessary to obtain the most accurate FE model of a device. This thesis describes (a) a selection strategy and (b) selection criteria. A selection strategy incorporates two methods that simplify the search for better FE models of the device. Both methods have proven to be practical and constructive. The selection criteria include Ampere's law error, the energy content of the model, the energy content in specific regions of the model, and the average of the magnetic field data at specific regions of the magnet. These selection criteria have proven to be feasible for selecting the best FE model of the device. An alternative design of the MRI magnet is introduced. The performance of the alternative design is shown to be superior to the original design of the MRI magnet. In addition, the thesis introduces two two-dimensional modeling approaches to simplify the FE study of unsymmetrical 3D devices. One of the 2D modeling approaches is shown to be applicable for calculating the magnet data.
Functional analysis of NREDIT, an element that controls expression of mid-late sporulation-specific genes in Saccharomyces cervisiae

The events of meiosis and spore formation that occur during sporulation of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are accompanied by sequential expression of temporally distinct classes of genes. I have studied the regulation of expression of the DIT1 and DIT2 genes. These genes, which are adjacent and divergently transcribed, encode enzymes that are necessary for the synthesis of the outermost layer of the spore wall. A cis-acting DNA element termed NRE$\rm\sp{DIT},$ which is located in the DIT1-DIT2 intergenic region, prevents expression of these genes during vegetative growth. Previous studies have shown that the NRE$\rm\sp{DIT}$ element strongly represses transcription of a heterologous reporter gene, and that this repression is dependent on the Ssn6-Tup1 corepression complex. To identify additional factors required for NRE$\rm\sp{DIT}$-mediated repression, I have analyzed two mutant yeast strains that have defects in repression of an NRE$\rm \sp{DIT}$-containing reporter gene. This analysis has implicated two previously identified genes, SIN4 and RIM101, in mediating NRE$\rm\sp{DIT}$-dependent repression. SIN4 encodes a global regulator of transcription which may act through alterations in chromatin structure. RIM101 is a meiotic regulatory gene that encodes a DNA-binding protein. I showed that a putative binding site for the Rim101 protein that is present within NRE$\rm\sp{DIT}$ is important for NRE$\rm\sp{DIT}$-mediated, TUP1-dependent repression. My data also suggested that another unidentified protein is required for RIM101-dependent repression. First, a mutation in the putative Rim101 binding site reduced repression of the reporter gene in wild-type cells, but increased repression in rim101$\Delta$ cells. Second, artificial recruitment of Rim101 to a promoter had little effect on transcription. Based on these results, I propose a model for the role of Rim101 at NRE$\rm\sp{DIT}$ in which Rim101 binds to directly to NRE$\rm \sp{DIT}$ and recruits the Ssn6-Tup1 corepression complex in cooperation with a second protein.
Pierre Duhem and neo-Thomist interpretations of physical science

In 1879, Pope Leo XIII demanded that Catholic philosophers and theologians adopt scholastic philosophy and especially Thomism in their studies and teaching. Although not primarily about science, the encyclical 'Aeterni Patris ' expressed the hope that scholastic philosophy would be a means to understand and even to further science. The thesis examines how neo-Thomists in France and Belgium tried to understand contemporary physical science from the time of the papal mandate to the outbreak of the First World War. These geographical and temporal limits coincide with the immediate sphere of influence of Pierre Duhem (1861-1916), the well-known Catholic physicist, philosopher of science, and historian of science. After putting Aeterni Patris into historical context and focusing both on its own agenda with regard to the philosophy of science and on the challenges that it faced in a scientistic climate, the thesis identifies the major centres of neo-Thomism in the two countries and shows that Duhem was historically connected to all of them. Neo-Thomists were especially determined to re-establish hylomorphism by arguing that mechanical theories of the universe were deficient. Duhem too critiqued mechanism; but his criticism and agenda differed from that of the self-proclaimed neo-Thomists, by arguing that physical theory is not a metaphysical explanation. The thesis first examines the relation between physics and metaphysics through case studies of contemporary debates into which Duhem also entered: human freedom, creation in time, and the proof for the existence of God the Prime Mover. A more theoretical look at the relation shows both that Duhem developed some of his ideas in the philosophy of science in response to neo-Thomist criticism and that his thought in turn influenced some leading figures in the movement. It is argued that Jacques Maritain's ' Distinguer pour unir' depends heavily albeit unconsciously on Duhem's work. This proves that Duhem's thought is compatible with one influential school of neo-Thomism and even contributed to its development. The thesis concludes by making the necessary distinctions to counter arguments that Duhem was hostile to the neo-Thomist enterprise on account of his Pascalian inspiration, his friendship with Maurice Blondel, and his panning of Thomas in the ' Système du monde'.
A novel cell culture model to study ischemia-reperfusion injury in lung transplantation

Lung transplantation has emerged as a therapeutic modality for patients with end-stage lung disease. However ischemia reperfusion injury remains a significant clinical problem, occurring in 20% of patients. Many cell culture models have been developed to study ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, however none are specific to the conditions of lung preservation and transplantation. We designed a cell culture model that mimics the conditions of clinical lung transplantation, where preservation is aerobic and hypothermic. Human pulmonary epithelial cells (A549 cell line), were preserved in 100% O2 at 4°C for varying periods in Low Potassium Dextran Glucose solution, simulating ischemia, followed by the reintroduction of warm (37°C) Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum to simulate reperfusion. Cultures were assayed for cell attachment and viability. Sequential extension of ischemic times to 24 h showed a time-dependent loss of cells. There was a further decrease in cell number following simulated reperfusion. Cell detachment was due mainly to cell death, as determined by cell viability assays. The effects of chemical components in the preservation solution and various gas mixtures during ischemia. were examined using this model system. Because this model closely mimics I/R injury in lung transplantation, it could be used to study cellular and molecular mechanisms related to this clinical situation.
The stability and manoeuvrability of powered wheelchairs

Most powered wheelchair accidents are design-related1. Therefore, a greater understanding of the effects of wheelchair design on stability will likely reduce accidents. A 3D lumped parameter model of a powered wheelchair was created to explore the effect of new innovative design features on stability. The model was validated in both static and dynamic conditions. The accuracy was limited by the inability to model deformable bodies, the inherent difficulties in modelling a statically indeterminate system, and the computing time. Nevertheless, the model was found to be useful in investigating the effect of nine design alterations on wheelchair stability. It predicted that the stability was more dependent on the design of the suspension system than on the dimensions and weight distribution of the wheelchair. The model predictions were used to select the most effective design alternation to increase the static and dynamic stability with minimal reduction in manoeuvrability.
Gendered nationalism, Ontario's defence training, health and physical education curriculum and the Second World War

This study examined how the Canadian and Ontario governments of World War II manipulated dominant ideologies of nationalism with respect to gender, race and class in the context of Ontario's defence training and health and physical education program in secondary schools. A balance between what the federal and provincial governments attempted to create versus how these education programs looked in practice was provided. The governments exerted a massive amount of control in training boys as soldiers and in training girls as "mothers of the nation," but the intended plans did not fully crystallize. The governments did not completely dictate people's everyday lived experiences. However, Anglo-Celtic, middle class Canadians and the state significantly impacted gender, race and class expectations for what it meant to be Canadian women and men during World War II.
A quantifier-free string theory for ALOGTIME reasoning

The main contribution of this work is the definition of a quantifier-free string theory 'T'1 suitable for formalizing ' ALOGTIME' reasoning. After describing 'L'1--a new, simple, algebraic characterization of the complexity class ' ALOGTIME' based on strings instead of numbers--the theory ' T'1 is defined (based on 'L'1), and a detailed formal development of 'T'1 is given. Then, theorems of 'T'1 are shown to translate into families of propositional tautologies that have uniform polysize Frege proofs, 'T'1 is shown to prove the soundness of a particular Frege system <math> <f> <sc>F</sc></f> </math>, and <math> <f> <sc>F</sc></f> </math> is shown to provably 'p'-simulate any proof system whose soundness can be proved in 'T'1. Finally, ' T'1 is compared with other theories for 'ALOGTIME ' reasoning in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first formal theory for 'ALOGTIME ' reasoning whose basic objects are strings instead of numbers, and the first quantifier-free theory formalizing 'ALOGTIME' reasoning in which a direct proof of the soundness of some Frege system has been given (in the case of first-order theories, such a proof was first given by Arai for his theory 'AID'). Also, the polysize Frege proofs we give for the propositional translations of theorems of 'T' 1 are considerably simpler than those for other theories, and so is our proof of the soundness of a particular <math> <f> <sc>F</sc></f> </math>-system in 'T'1. Together with the simplicity of 'T'1's recursion schemes, axioms, and rules these facts suggest that 'T'1 is one of the most natural theories available for 'ALOGTIME' reasoning.