VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Parallel solution-adaptive method for predicting solid propellant rocket motor core flows

A computational framework has been developed for predicting two-dimensional axisymmetric turbulent multi-phase (gas-particle) solid propellant rocket motor core flows. The cornerstone of this numerical scheme is a parallel block-based adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) algorithm. AMR methods are effective in resolving the multiple solution scales typical of such complex fluid flow while minimizing computational expense. The use of body-fitted mesh blocks makes the application of the block-based AMR more amenable to flows with thin boundary layers and permits anisotropic refinement as dictated by initial mesh stretching. The block-based data structure lends itself naturally to domain decomposition and thereby enables efficient and scalable implementations of the algorithm on distributed-memory multi-processor architectures. A mesh adjustment scheme has been devised in which the body-fitted multi-block mesh is locally adjusted to arbitrarily embedded boundaries that are not necessarily aligned with the mesh. Not only does this scheme allow for rapid and robust mesh generation involving complex embedded boundaries, it also enables the solution of unsteady flow problems involving bodies and interfaces moving relative to the flow domain. This allows for the modelling and treatment of the pressure dependent burning of the solid propellant. The level set method is used to treat the evolution of the burning propellant surface. A Godunov-type finite-volume scheme has been developed to accurately predict the interaction between the gas and solid particles injected into the rocket chamber at the combustion interface. Standard fourth-order Runge-Kutta and second-order predictor-corrector time-marching schemes are used for time-accurate temporal discretization. An explicit optimally-smoothing multi-stage time-stepping scheme with multigrid convergence acceleration is used for obtaining steady state solutions. The mathematical characteristics of an Eulerian formulation for the particle-phase required the development of a new solution method for the particle-phase that allows for a more physically realistic solution than was previously attainable. A novel multi-velocity formulation is proposed that can account for crossing particle trajectories by splitting the particle-phase into distinct velocity families which are transported separately. The overall proposed methodology provides a state-of-the-art framework for accurately and efficiently predicting rocket motor core flows.
Keeping the faith: the Jewish response to compulsory religious education in Ontario's public schools, 1944-1990

In 1944 Ontario Premier George Drew's minority Conservative government introduced compulsory religious education into the Province's public schools. The enabling legislation, the “Drew Regulation,” prescribed two one-half hour periods of religious instruction per week. A response to world-wide godlessness symbolized by Nazi Germany's crimes, remarkably, the Drew Regulation remained in place in Ontario for forty-six years. The wholesale implementation of the Drew Regulation throughout Ontario's public school system went beyond the need to balance the evil of war with the goodness of faith. Over time it became clear that the Regulation's benign terms which prescribed no specific religious preference was being used for decidedly doctrinal Protestant purposes. When predominantly Protestant Ontario issued little protest, by default, the task of opposing the Drew Regulation fell to the Jewish community. There was no realistic alternative. Other minority faith groups were small in number. Human rights organizations were only just beginning to appear. Moreover, after some initial anxiety, the general community's concern about the discriminatory aspects of the Drew Regulation rapidly dissipated. Emerging from an erstwhile immigrant persona, only a vigilant Jewish community was sensitive to the abuses visited on Jewish and other minority children by this Regulation. At times, hamstrung by its reticence to assume a high public profile, especially when this meant clashing with deeply-felt convictions of the general community, the Jewish community stayed the course. Finally, unable to balance its opposition to the Drew Regulation with increasing internal demands for Provincial funding of Jewish Day Schools, the Jewish community gratefully relinquished responsibility for determining the place of religious education in the public schools to the judicial system.

Keywords: Religious education, Law and legislation
Religious education, Ontario
Religion in the public schools, Law and legislation
Religion in the public schools, Ontario
Religious education, History
Religious education, Ontario
Religion in the public schools, History
Religion in the public schools, Ontario
Jews, Attitudes
Jews, Ontario
Religious minorities, Ontario
State-based control of timed discrete event systems using binary decision diagrams

This thesis discusses a new synthesis approach to the supervisory control of Timed Discrete Event Systems (TDES). The new approach is much more efficient than the existing synthesis approaches. Using this method, many practical systems can be synthesized using a personal computer. Besides, it is shown that the number of nodes in the Binary Decision Diagram (BDD) representing a TDES can be a better measurement of the complexity of the TDES than the number of states and transitions. The structural information of the timers in a given TDES together with the reduction properties of BDDs are exploited to help this new method achieve more efficient performance. The algorithm is based on the fact that each flat structure can be divided into smaller structures. The success of our new approach is illustrated with very large versions of existing examples taken from the literature.
Structural and specificity studies of two nucleic acid binding domains: the ETS domain and the PWI motif

The PWI motif is a highly conserved domain found in several known or putative pre-mRNA processing components and binds promiscuously to both single- and double-stranded nucleic acids. In SRm160, a protein that is involved in splicing and 3'-end processing of pre-mRNA, the nucleic acid binding property of the PWI motif is necessary for stimulating 3 '-end cleavage. To determine how this domain interacts with its targets, we determined the solution structure of the PWI motif from SRm160. The motif adopts a four-helix bundle and represents the first example of an alpha-helical fold that can bind indiscriminately to nucleic acids. In vitro binding studies and structure-guided mutagenesis suggests the PWI motif employs a similar mechanism to interact with both RNA and DNA, which is dependent upon a highly conserved, adjacent basic region. The association of the PWI motif with DNA is highly cooperative and efficient binding requires an oligonucleotide target composed of at least 23--26 bases. Nucleic acid binding proteins play a central role in a variety of cellular functions, and have been extensively studied over the year. Still, the molecular mechanisms by which proteins recognize and interact with nucleic acids are not well understood. Presented here is my research of two nucleic acid binding domains: the ETS domain and the PWI motif. Members of the ETS family of transcription factors are involved in several developmental and physiological processes and their mis-expression is implicated in a variety of cancers. Each family member has a conserved DNA-binding domain that enables specific binding to DNA elements containing a G-G-A trinucleotide sequence. Discrimination between potential ETS-binding sites appears to be governed by both nucleotides flanking this region and protein-protein interactions. We have used an adaptation of the "length-encoded multiplex" approach to investigate the DNA-binding specificities of four ETS proteins: Fli-1, SAP-1, PU.1 and TEL. Our results suggest that sequence-specific association of ETS proteins with their DNA targets is dependent upon the synergistic contributions of bases that flank the G-G-A site. These results are consistent with an indirect read-out mechanism of DNA binding, in which sequence-dependent structural features of DNA are sensed or induced.
Development and validation of a subject-specific finite element model of the human craniofacial skeleton

In spite of the development of new technologies and treatments in the field of craniofacial surgery, the reconstruction of post-traumatic, post-ablative and congenital deformities of the facial skeleton remains a challenge. Complications, which in part can be attributed to an incomplete understanding of the biomechanical environment of the craniofacial skeleton, continue to result in significant rates of morbidity and re-operation. A subject-specific finite element model of a fresh frozen human craniofacial skeleton was developed and validated against strain measurement from in vitro mechanical testing. The most accurate model was found to have a correlation of 0.73 against in vitro data. The most accurate model assigned local cortical thickness measurements from CT imaging data. The developed model was sensitive to assumptions regarding the elastic modulus of cortical bone, but not the Poisson's ratio. Validated computational models have tremendous potential for providing valuable insights into the biomechanics of the human craniofacial skeleton.
Fas-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer: Gene therapy and synergism with chemotherapy

The manipulation of the Fas apoptotic pathway presents a potential therapeutic approach for cancer. Many cancers, including those of the prostate, are known to express the Fas receptor and may be susceptible to killing through this pathway. This study investigates the feasibility of Fas-based therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer. Previous studies implementing FasL against prostate cancer used immortalized, metastasis-derived cell lines and, as such, may not predict the clinical response of prostate cancers to Fas-based therapies. To first measure the potential for human tumours to be killed by FasL, the apoptotic response of primary prostate cancer cell lines was assessed. These patient-derived cell lines were all found to express high levels of Fas receptor, and despite the presence of known inhibitors of apoptosis, underwent Fas-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, these cells could be sensitized to killing by pre-treatment with the chemotherapeutic drugs mitoxantrone and docetaxel. While both drugs enhanced Fas expression on the prostate cell lines, improved cytotoxic response to FasL following docetaxel treatment was limited to Bcl-2-expressing cells. Only mitoxantrone was able to improve the cytotoxic response of all tested cell lines. As Fas up-regulation was likely not the only mechanism sensitizing cells to FasL, a further investigation was conducted into the perturbations induced by mitoxantrone at the protein level. A high-throughput shotgun proteomics study investigating the effects of mitoxantrone-treatment on primary prostate cancer cell lines revealed significant changes in expression of 136 proteins involved in diverse functions, including ceramide production, tumour suppression, and oxidative reduction. Data generated in this study also contribute to the definition of the human prostate cancer proteome. To develop the use of FasL as a treatment for prostate cancer, a gene therapy-based strategy was designed and tested. T lymphocytes were transduced with oncoretroviruses to express high levels of FasL or non-cleavable FasL and were shown to induce cytotoxicity in the murine prostate cancer cell line RM-1. Overall, the studies presented here show for the first time in primary prostate cancer models that Fas-based approaches may be feasible for the treatment of this disease. Combining Fas-based therapies with chemotherapeutic agents may add further efficacy to this approach.

Keywords: Molecular biology
Medicine
Somnogenic, pyrogenic and cytokine inducing properties of fetal sheep liver extract

A novel substance (fetal sheep liver extract, hereafter CLP) was investigated to determine its somnogenic and febrile properties in the rat. Administration of 40 μl of CLP or physiological saline significantly increased the proportion of slow wave sleep to rapid eye movement sleep compared to control treatments. Total sleep time and time spent in slow wave sleep were significantly increased compared to the baseline treatment but not to each other. Body temperature differed between treatment groups and increased independent of treatment during post-injection hours 9–12. PCR analysis in brain tissue revealed that IL-1 was increased in CLP-treated individuals at 3 and 6 hours post injection. IL-6 showed varied expression at 3, 6 and 12 hours post-injection, with 75% of individuals showing increased expression with CLP treatment. These data suggest that CLP alters sleep architecture, possibly via the immune system to elicit behavioural states changes.
An examination of the co-authorship patterns in medical publications

One inherent reason organizations exist is to create value in either the private or public sector. They make strategic decisions and create strategic plans to define what decisions they will take to maximize value creation. Once the direction of the organization has been defined, they must create an organizational structure to operationalize their strategic plan. In the Faculty of Medicine and Department of Medicine (DOM), University of Toronto, the organizational structure is focused on the alignment and management of faculty, who make up the majority of assets, determined through University Rank and Job Description. Information in performance measurement is key to helping leadership in making decisions about the reorganization of the structure or change strategic course. In this thesis, we focus on faculty contribution through research by analyzing productivity and collaboration among faculty members based on organizational structure, in order to create transparency for promotion as well as create an information platform for optimal organizational structure and alignment.
Regulation and function of mammalian septins during cell division

Septins are required for cell division in a number of organisms ranging from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to humans. In addition, these proteins appear to play a role in several other processes such as secretion, neuronal guidance, and neurite outgrowth. Given the breadth of their possible functions, septins must be carefully regulated. In this thesis I show that during cell division, septins may be regulated by phosphorylation. I show that one particular animal septin, Sept2, is phosphorylated in vitro by three kinases, Casein Kinase II, CAMP-dependent kinase, and Protein Kinase C. Moreover, phosphorylation by CAMP-dependent kinase results in disruption of Sept2's ability to bind phospholipids. In vivo, Sept2 is phosphorylated on a Casein Kinase II site, and the in vivo phosphorylation increases during cell division, suggesting that septin phosphorylation may play a role in regulating different aspects of mitosis. Septin phosphorylation may affect protein-protein interactions between septin molecules or other proteins. In order to better understand the significance of septin phosphorylation, septin-interacting proteins were identified. I show that Sept2 associates in one or more complexes with several other septins. One of these septins, Sept9, associates with both the actin and microtubule networks, while Sept2 predominately associates with the actin cytoskeleton. This difference in localization not only occurs in interphase cells, but also throughout cell division. Like other septins studied to date, I show that Sept9 is required for cell division in tissue culture cells. Besides having a role in cell division, Sept9 also plays a role in regulating both the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Depletion of Sept9 through siRNA-transfection results in the loss of actin stress fibers and in an increase in acetylated tubulin levels. The loss of actin stress fibers results from a loss of ROCK signaling to myosin. In addition, I also found that Sept9 immunoprecipitates contain not only septin proteins, but also myosin heavy chain Ha, providing evidence to support a role for septins in regulating ROCK phosphorylation of myosin II. Finally I devise a model in which septin function during cell division is proposed along with a role for its regulation through changes in its phosphorylation status.
Application of energy recovery in low-power DSP system design

This thesis deals with the design and implementation of low power DSP systems utilizing energy recovery. Implementation of arithmetic units is identified as the key problem in achieving high energy efficiency since conventional arithmetic architectures do not allow efficient energy recovery. For this reason, the thesis focuses on the design of arithmetic units suitable for energy recovery. Based on the finding that non-adiabatic dissipation associated with full-swing signals sets a practical limit for energy efficiency in adiabatic arithmetic circuits, a design strategy is defined by which, the non-adiabatic dissipation is reduced through architectural, rather than circuit optimizations. This is achieved by using arithmetic architectures involving a small number of complex logic gates. In order to enable such architectural design, a circuit technique named OBDDL, allowing reliable and energy efficient operation of complex logic gates, is developed. A class of OBDDL gates called “counter OBDDL” is identified as particularly suitable for design of adiabatic arithmetic units. Superior performance and energy efficiency of OBDDL-based building blocks for arithmetic design, over equivalent circuits implemented using other adiabatic techniques, is verified by circuit simulation. Using the adopted strategy and the developed circuit technique, energy efficient architectures for adiabatic implementation of parallel multipliers and distributed arithmetic architectures are developed. The feasibility and energy efficiency of the proposed adiabatic design style is further verified by several implementations including a single-stage 5 x 5-bit multiplier, a 15 x 15-bit pipelined adiabatic multiplier-accumulator (MAC), an adiabatic RAM and a 72-point adiabatic FFT processor core. The experimental results obtained for each of these implementations suggest that adiabatic DSP design based on the proposed approach results in a significant improvement in energy efficiency over conventional low power design, as well as over competing adiabatic techniques, while allowing high operating speed for DSP applications.
Video input driven animation (VIDA)

There are many challenges associated with the integration of synthetic and real imagery. One particularly difficult problem is the automatic extraction of salient parameters of natural phenomena in real video footage for subsequent application to synthetic objects. Can we ensure that the hair and clothing of a synthetic actor placed in a meadow of swaying grass will move consistently with the wind that moved that grass? The video footage can be seen as a controller for the motion of synthetic features, a concept we call video input driven animation (VIDA). We propose a schema that analyzes an input video sequence, extracts parameters from the motion of objects in the video; and uses this information to drive the motion of synthetic objects. To validate the principles of VIDA; we approximate the inverse problem to harmonic oscillation, which we use to extract parameters of wind and of regular water waves. We observe the effect of wind on a tree in a video; estimate wind speed parameters from its motion; and then use this to make synthetic objects move. We also extract water elevation parameters from the observed motion of boats and apply the resulting water waves to synthetic boats.
Angiogenesis in the peri-implant healing compartment as a function of endosseous implant surface topography

This study evaluates the four different implant surfaces, DAE (dual acid etching) and machined commercially pure Ti (cpTi) and titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) respectively, for their ability to stimulate angiogenesis. A novel dumbbell shaped gap-healing model was used. DAE titanium implant surfaces enhanced angiogenesis in both cpTi and Ti6Al4V implant groups as indicated by Anti-Factor VIII staining and microangiography. The vessels in the gap-healing compartment around the DAE surfaces tended to not only exhibit a “sausage” shape indicative of greater vessel size, but also have more interconnections between them. Additionally, although there were obvious differences in surface microtopography between DAE treated cpTi and Ti6Al4V implants, no statistical difference was seen in peri-implant angiogenesis between these two kinds of implants. Based on this study, it is apparent that modification of titanium implant surfaces with DAE method can enhance angiogenesis.
Pin-on-flat sliding friction of aluminum on polytetrafluoroethylene coated aluminum

The sliding kinetic friction coefficient of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated aluminum was investigated under varying conditions of applied load, sliding velocity, specimen temperature and chamber pressure. The measured frictional force was linearly dependent on applied load resulting in the friction coefficient being independent of applied load. The friction coefficient increased with increasing velocity from 0.027 at 1 mm/s to 0.047 at 8 mm/s. At low loads, no clear trend was established for the friction coefficient with respect to specimen temperature between 5 and 75°C. However, at higher loads, the friction coefficient decreased with increasing specimen temperature. The friction coefficient was independent of pressure resulting in values of 0.024 at 740 torr and 0.028 at 10−6 torr. Using several surface diagnostics, the specimen coating was found to comprise three layers containing PTFE, titanium, chromium, silicon and sulphur. Optical microscopy provided information on the types of friction and wear that occurred during testing.

Keywords: Friction
Polytef
Aluminum