VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Effects of a Bioactive Scaffold Containing a Sustained TGF-β1-releasing Nanoparticle System on the Migration and Differentiation of Stem Cells from the Apical Papilla

The study aimed to develop and characterize a novel chitosan-based scaffold (CMCS) containing TGF-β1-releasing chitosan nanoparticles (TGF-β1-CSnp) to enhance migration and differentiation of SCAP. Part I concerned synthesis and characterization of the scaffold (CMCS) and TGF-β1-CSnp. Part II examined the effect of sustained TGF-β1 release from scaffold containing TGF-β1-CSnp on odontogenic differentiation of SCAP. The scaffold demonstrated properties conducive to cellular activities. Incorporation of TGF-β1 in CSnp allowed sustained release of TGF-β1 facilitating delivery of a critical concentration of TGF-β1 at the opportune time. SCAP showed greater viability, migration and biomineralization in the presence of TGF-β1-CSnp than in the presence of Free TGF-β1. SCAP cultured in TGF-β1-CSnp + scaffold showed significantly higher dentin matrix protein (DMP)-1 and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) signals compared to Free TGF-β1 + scaffold or CSnp + scaffold. These experiments highlighted the potential of a CMCS based scaffold with growth factor releasing nanoparticles to promote migration and differentiation of SCAP.

Keywords: cell migration
chitosan nanoparticles
odontogenic differentiation
regenerative endodontic procedures
stem cells from apical papilla
transforming growth factor-Î˛1
Advisor: Kishen, Anil
The Effect of Konjac Glucomannan Fibre Gel on Satiety and Energy Intake

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a viscous dietary fibre that forms a firm, low-energy gel (KGM-gel) with shapes resembling common food staples. Despite a history of use in Asia, no study to date as assessed the effect of replacing energy-dense foods with KGM-gel foods. Therefore, we conducted two acute, randomized, controlled, crossover trials in healthy individuals to assess KGM-gel food substitution at a moderate and high level in single and repeated meals on appetite and energy intake. In both studies, KGM-gel substitution proportionally reduced the energy content of test meals compared to control. While high substitution lowered satiety, moderate substitution did not reduce satiety and cumulative energy intake was inversely proportional KGM-gel substitution. KGM-gel foods may assist in reducing energy intake without increasing appetite when replacing a modest amount of energy-rich foods. These results may have relevance in weight loss regimes and should be evaluated in overweight or obese populations.

Keywords: Appetite
Dietary Fibre
Energy Intake
Konjac Glucomannan
Randomized Controlled Trial
Satiety
Advisor: Vuksan, Vladimir
Survivance Stories: Indigenous Resistance and Cultural Labour in Canada

How do Indigenous cultural workers, practicing in Canada, think about their labour? Cultural work includes a broad array of activities: making art, writing, teaching, organizing programs, and other community projects. In this thesis, literature by Indigenous authors foregrounds ways of thinking about the meaning and function of cultural contributions, with support from complementary non-Indigenous scholarship. Interviews with three cultural workers and thematic analyses of transcripts and pre-existing texts show how cultural workers create living archives; by giving to their communities through multifaceted practices, they imagine and will Indigenously-determined paths into the future. Findings are organized into three themes, representing three practices of cultural work: contribute, gather, and proclaim.

Keywords: archive
community
cultural labour
Indigenous
memory
Advisor: Caraway, Brett
Shade, Leslie
Catalytic Investigations as a Facile Route to N-trifluoroethyl Substituted Compounds

Phosphorus compounds have been traditionally thought of as Lewis donor ligands used in transition metal and organometallic chemistry. However, the versatility of phosphorus to act as a Lewis acid has become increasingly apparent, and the influence of this concept in chemistry has had profound implications in recent catalysis. The Lewis acidity of the fluorophosphonium cations [(C6F5)2PhPF]+ and [(C6F5)3PF]+, and applications of these species in hydrodefluorination, isomerization, and hydrosilylation of alkenes and nitriles were previously reported. Manipulations to this catalyst afforded the dicationic imidazolium-phosphonium salt [(SIMes)PFPh2][B(C6F5)4]2, showing similar Lewis acidity and reactivity. Such systems have investigated the hydrodeoxygenation of aliphatic and aromatic ketones. Herein, studies into the hydrodeoxygenation of amides as a simple and versatile methodology for the preparation of N-trifluoroethyl amines and anilines is presented. Furthermore, subsequent Friedel-Crafts activation of trifluoromethyl substituents was investigated. The implications of such activations towards fully aromatic heterocycles and aromatic hydrocarbons is also discussed.

Keywords: Amide Hydrodeoxygenation
Aromatic Hydrocarbon
Fluorophosphonium
Friedel-Crafts
Advisor: Stephan, Doug W
Investigating the Influence of Hyperglycemia and Anti-hyperglycemic Treatments on the Mechanosensitivity and Signaling of Osteocytes

Diabetes is a debilitating disease which is rapidly increasing in prevalence. One associated complication linked to diabetic mortality is bone fragility. This study aims to address a corner of the diabetic bone field which has yet to be explored fully; osteocytes. Hyperglycemic-osteocytes have been shown to lack mechanosensitivity. Based on this, it is hypothesized that the 2 most common anti-hyperglycemic medications, insulin and metformin will resolve this insensitivity. Results of this study showed hyperglycemic osteocytes did lack responsiveness to fluid flow reflected in unaltered apoptosis, but this was not rescued by insulin or metformin. Unexpectedly, hyperglycemic osteocytes dramatically increased the induction of osteoclast formation and resorption which was unexplained by levels of RANKL protein, RANKL mRNA or OPG mRNA expression and was not resolved by introducing insulin or metformin. These findings point to a behavior by high-glucose osteocytes which may play a role in the bigger problem of diabetic bone fragility.

Keywords: Bone
Diabetes
Hyperglycemia
Insulin
Metformin
Osteocyte
Advisor: You, Lidan
Personalizing the Training of Attention: Predicting Effectiveness of Meditation using Traits and Abilities

Precision medicine involves tailoring interventions to the individual, but superior health outcomes are only possible if individuals follow the advice of healthcare professionals. Current meditation interventions have high drop-out rates despite the great benefits continued practice offers. Secular meditation interventions have heretofore used somatosensory objects as the anchor of attention, but other less-studied modalities may be preferred by certain individuals. Investigating the influence of individual differences on preference of meditation modality is the purpose of this research. In this study I use personality traits and sensory discriminability to predict preferences among three modalities of meditation anchor: breath, phrase, and image. Results indicate that sensory discriminability predicts preference, as do incoming bias and motivation. These results imply multiple anchor modalities should be made accessible and that new meditators should be involved in anchor-selection. This study begins a line of research into personalizing meditation instruction and will allow more precise individualized recommendations.

Keywords: adherence
heart rate variability
just noticeable difference
meditation
mindfulness
preference
Advisor: Farb, Norman
The Characterization of Beta Oscillatory Activity in the Motor Thalamus of Essential Tremor and Parkinson's Disease Patients

Beta oscillations (13-30Hz) are commonly observed in major motor structures of the brain and are often implicated in movement disorders. Here, I investigated the role of thalamic beta oscillations in the regulation of tremor signals and cerebellar processing. Using microelectrodes, I obtained recordings from the thalamus of 40 essential tremor (ET) and 36 Parkinsonâ s disease (PD) patients undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery. The findings showed that 1. Single-unit and local field potential (LFP) beta oscillations are localized to the cerebellar territory of the thalamus (ventral intermediate nucleus-Vim) and are inversely correlated with tremor; 2. The optimal area for tremor reduction by stimulation is the region with the highest beta power and 3. Inverted centre-out movements that reflect cerebellar processing suppress beta power in the Vim. The data provide an in-depth characterization of thalamic beta and suggest that this rhythm gates the transmission of cerebellar signals to the thalamus.

Keywords: Beta oscillations
Deep brain stimulation
Microelectrode recordings
Motor Control
Movement disorders
Thalamocortical oscillations
Advisor: Hutchison, William D
Literacy Engagement in the Extended French and French Immersion Programs (Grades 4 to 6)

This mix-methods research involved a 10-week formative home intervention with four Grade 4 to 6 Extended French and French Immersion students during the summer. The weekly readings in L1, writing summaries, and discussions helped to investigate how their first language use impacted literacy engagement and development in L1 (Russian), L2 (English), and L3 (French). First language use during literacy activities significantly improved literacy in L1, notably in L2, and partially in L3, improving overall literacy engagement. The activation of executive functions resulted in the decrease in frequency of errors in L1, L2, and partially in L3. The common improvements for the three languages include better stylistic awareness and use of discourse markers. The L1 and L2 texts were refined in syntax and orthography. These signs of improvement demonstrate that all the three languages function in one system, influencing each other and raising the language awareness of plurilingual students.

Keywords: bilingualism
French Immersion
heritage language
literacy development
literacy engagement
plurilingualism
Advisor: Piccardo, Enrica
Delayed Endothelial Progenitor Cell Therapy Promotes Bone Defect Repair in a Pre-Clinical Rat Model

Bone defect repair remains a significant challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have successfully promoted the repair of acute defects in animal models; however, the ability of EPCs to induce the repair of chronic defects has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of EPCs for the repair of chronic bone defects using a clinically relevant rat model. Bone marrow-derived EPCs on a Gelfoam scaffold were applied to 5mm segmental femoral defects 3 weeks post-fracture. Ten weeks post-treatment, EPC-treated defects demonstrated enhanced radiographic union, improved bone morphometry, and greater biomechanical strength and stiffness compared to defects treated with cell-free scaffolds. No differences between acute and delayed EPC treatment were observed. These results suggest that EPCs can enhance bone healing in both acute and chronic bone defect models, and that their use may represent a clinically translatable therapy for bone healing in humans.

Keywords: Bone defects
Endothelial progenitor cells
Orthopaedic surgery
Regenerative medicine
Tissue engineering
Trauma
Advisor: Schemitsch, Emil H
Real-time Model and Simulation Architecture for Half- and Full-bridge Modular Multilevel Converters

This work presents an equivalent model and simulation architecture for real-time electromagnetic transient analysis of either half-bridge or full-bridge modular multilevel converter (MMC) with 400 sub-modules (SMs) per arm. The proposed CPU/FPGA-based architecture is optimized for the parallel implementation of the presented MMC model on the FPGA and is beneficiary of a high-throughput floating-point computational engine. The developed real-time simulation architecture is capable of simulating MMCs with 400 SMs per arm at 825 nanoseconds. To address the difficulties of the sorting process implementation, a modified Odd-Even Bubble sorting is presented in this work. The comparison of the results under various test scenarios reveals that the proposed real-time simulator is representing the system responses in the same way of its corresponding off-line counterpart obtained from the PSCAD/EMTDC program.

Keywords: Detailed equivalent model (DEM)
Field-programmable gate array (FPGA)
Full-bridge (FB)
Half-bridge (HB)
Modular multilevel converter (MMC)
Real-time simulation
Advisor: Iravani, Reza
TGF-β3 Signaling in Redifferentiating Passaged Human Articular Chondrocytes

Bioengineering articular cartilage for the repair of damaged cartilage is one approach to biological joint repair. TGF-β3 has been shown to promote articular cartilage tissue formation by dedifferentiated passaged human chondrocytes. We hypothesize that TGF-β3 signals through both ALK1 and ALK5 in passaged human chondrocytes, to induce cartilage tissue formation in vitro. Treatment of passaged chondrocytes in 3D-culture with 10ng/ml TGF-β3 resulted in increased ALK5 expression and decreased ALK1 expression. This correlated with chondrocyte redifferentiation, as shown by increased gene expression of type II collagen and aggrecan, and tissue formation including increased collagen synthesis and retention of newly synthesized proteoglycans and collagen. This study identified that TGF-β3 promotes redifferentiation and ECM accumulation in passaged OA chondrocytes in part by signaling through both the canonical (ALK1 and ALK5) and the non-canonical (TAK1 and p38) pathways, though it is a complex regulation. Collagen production appears to be modulated through the ALK1/ALK5-TAK1-p38 axis.

Keywords: Cartilage
Cell Signalling
Chondrocytes
TGF-beta
Tissue Engineering
Advisor: Kandel, Rita
Development of Peer Advisors' Competencies and Career Clarity in the St. George Career Centre at the University of Toronto

Undertaken in Fall 2015, this case study of 14 Peer Career Advisors working at the St. George Career Centre in the University of Toronto was intended to determine participants’ perspectives of the development of their competencies and career clarity through their roles, as well as the experiences supports available through the Career Centre that influenced development, and any additional supports that would enhance development. Theoretical underpinnings include Chickering and Reisser’s vectors of development, Super et. al.’s life stages theory of career development, and Kolb’s theory of experiential learning. Results of the study demonstrated that all participants perceived development through their roles, the majority reporting competency development and specifically advising skills. Participants reported training, professional development tasks, and opportunities for feedback contributed to development. Perceived barriers to development included lack of free time, the need to balance multiple responsibilities/priorities, and lack of both job-related and self-knowledge.

Keywords: career clarity
competency development
development
peer
peer educator
work-study
Advisor: Janzen, Katharine
Necroptosis: A Novel Contributor to Placental Cell Death

Necroptosis, a newly characterized form of regulated necrosis, occurs under caspase-8 inhibition, allowing for assembly of the necrosome that includes receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 and 3 (RIP1, RIP3). Upon necrosome activation, RIP3 phosphorylates mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), causing cell death via its oligomerization and plasma membrane permeabilization. Placentae from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, a serious hypertensive disorder, are characterized by elevated pro-death ceramide species. We hypothesized that necroptosis occurs in placental cells and is mediated by ceramide. JEG3 cells exposed to C16 ceramide (CER) with or without Q-VD-OPh, a pan-caspase inhibitor, display necrotic morphology accompanied by upregulated RIP1 and phospho-MLKL protein levels, RIP1/RIP3 binding, and membrane-associated phospho-MLKL oligomers. Furthermore, the RIP1 inhibitor necrostatin-1 protected primary isolated trophoblasts from CER+Q-VD-OPh-induced phospho-MLKL and necroptosis. Importantly, preeclamptic trophoblasts exhibit increased necrosome protein expression and necrotic morphology. In conclusion, ceramide-mediated necroptosis may contribute to increased placental cell death and dysfunction in preeclampsia.

Keywords: cell death
ceramide
necroptosis
placental biology
preeclampsia
Advisor: Caniggia, Isabella
Cerebrovascular Reactivity (CVR) in mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (mTLE)

Epilepsy surgery can achieve excellent outcomes with regards to seizure freedom in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. This is contingent upon accurate pre-operative localization of the epileptogenic zone. Cerebrovascular reactivity refers to the blood vesselsâ response to vasoactive stimuli. We hypothesized that cerebral vasculature in epileptogenic tissue have impaired reactivity that can be detected with CVR imaging. Methods: we acquired fMRI images in unilateral mesial TLE patients (n=13) who had undergone pre-surgical investigations for seizure localization, while changes in arterial carbon dioxide were induced. CVR datasets for 12 healthy volunteers who had undergone an identical study protocol were retrieved from a pre-existing database. Results: We report significantly increased CVR in the epileptogenic posterior and middle cingulate cortices compared to the contralateral hemisphere within the patient group. Conclusions: Our data suggest that CVR is altered in regions ipsilateral to the epileptogenic zone. Impaired CVR in the PCC has significant implications for the interpretation of fMRI studies in TLE patients.

Keywords: BOLD-fMRI
Cerebrovascular
Epilepsy
Reactivity
Advisor: Valiante, Taufik A
Evaluating Optical Imaging of Particles on Photonic Crystal Slab Biosensors

Modern biomedical diagnostic assays seek to detect biologically active molecules. A broader range of patients will be able to use these devices to improve the quality of their lives as these diagnostic instruments improve in efficiency, cost, and portability. In this research, we evaluated the capability of these systems to simultaneously monitor multiple analytes and their interaction on the surface of the biosensor. High frame rate (>100 frames/second) resonance imaging and sensing architectures were designed and developed using photonic crystal slab (PCS) sensors of increasing quality factors(500>Q>2000). In- frared cross-polarized reflectance images of the surface of PCS devices using illumination wavelengths that sweep over the PCS fundamental resonance location (1500nm-1600nm) illustrated a substantial increase in image brightness at the PCS resonance frequency. These results also indicated an inverse relationship between resonance image resolution and quality factor, due to larger in-slab resonance field spreading of high Q devices.

Keywords: PCS
PCS imaging
photonic crystal slab
Advisor: Levi, Ofer
Language Choices of Pakistani Canadians in the Peel Region

This qualitative study explores the home language experiences, language choices and use of the Canadian families of Pakistani origin living in the Region of Peel. Language loss among migrants in Canada has been pointed out in a number of studies. The study investigates whether families of Pakistani origin, who are known for their societal bi/multilingualism, are able to maintain their home/heritage language(s) (HLs) after moving to Canada. The results indicate that their language choices and patterns of use are changing. The first generation Pakistani Canadians who arrived in Canada at the age of 14 or older are bi/plurilingual, whereas those who arrived below that age seem to be on their way to becoming monolingual English speakers, despite parental interest in the intergenerational transmission of their HL(s). The thesis broaches youth attitudes towards parental heritage language maintenance strategies and French as a second language schooling.

Keywords: GIDS
EGIDS
SUM
Home/heritage language maintenance
Home language choices
Immigrant languages in Canada
Linguistic identity of immigrant children
Plurilingualism
Advisor: Connelly, Christine D
The Role of Causal Attribution and Implicit Mindset in Development of Wisdom

Many wisdom studies explore the essential characteristics required to be considered wise. These studies fail to explain the personal and cultural characteristics that influence motivation to become wise. In this study, we looked at 160 participantsâ causal beliefs about wisdom in two different cultures, Iran and Canada, and created a coding scheme to categorize what ordinary people believe causes wisdom. A mixed method analysis pointed out that attribution styles affect implicit mindset towards developing wisdom in both cultures: people who have controllable attributions (associated with incremental theory) are more likely be optimistic about developing wisdom, while individuals with uncontrollable causal attributions (associated with entity theory) are more likely to be pessimistic about developing wisdom. Our results support previous findings on the importance of mindset and causal beliefs in achievements and add to the wisdom literature by empirically investigating the role of motivational disposition on wisdom scores.

Keywords: Attribution
Causal Attribution
Development
Incremental Mindset
Mindset
Wisdom
Advisor: Ferrari, Michel
English Language and Identities in Qatari Educational Reform: Pedagogical and Social Implications

There is a growing disconnect between learning English and the status of Arabic in Qatar. English is seen as an effective means to expose learners to Western culture and ideology; Arabic remains the only official state language in Qatar. Accordingly, English language education has become a site of cultural and linguistic imperialism, potentially causing linguistic and cultural deficits. To examine these processes, I first examined relevant policy documentation then used Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to analyze the content and revisions made to one set of English textbook materials used in Qatarâ s independent schools, supplemented by a follow-up interview with a representative of the publishing company. The thesis identifies hegemonic processes associated with English language teaching materials in Qatar, adds to existing debates about the conflicting status of English and Arabic in Qatar, and initiates critical analysis of Qatarâ s education policies.

Keywords: Critical Discourse Analysis
Cultural Imperialism
English textbook
Globalization
Hegemony
Linguistic Imperialism
Advisor: Connelly, Christine D
Kerekes, Julie A
A Single-ended Simultaneously Bidirectional Transceiver for Ultra-short Reach Die to Die Links

The analysis and design of a Single-ended Simultaneous Bidirectional Transceiver for ultra-short reach die-to-die digital links is presented in this thesis. A novel passive hy- brid circuit is presented which allows for the rejection of near-end transmit data while simultaneously receiving far-end transmit data. A transceiver was fabricated in a 28nm CMOS SOI technology as a proof of concept. A custom organic substrate BGA pack- age was designed to house two transceiver dies and a 5mm stripline between them. An aggregate datarate of 40Gb/s (20Gb/s in each direction) was achieved between the two dies, at a power eciency of 0.8pJ/bit, in RC-extracted simulation.

Keywords: bidirectional
die-to-die
single-ended
transceiver
ultra-short reach
wireline
Advisor: Carusone, Anthony