VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Comparative Carcinogenic Effects of Folic Acid vs. 5-methyltetrahydofolate Supplementation on Colon Cancer Progression in a Rodent Model

A growing body of evidence has linked high folic acid (FA) intake to adverse health outcomes, including tumour promotion. 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5MTHF) has been proposed to be a safer alternative form of folate supplementation. However, its effects on tumor promotion are unknown. We investigated the comparative effects of FA versus 5MTHF supplementation on the progression of aberrant crypt foci (ACF; earliest precursor of colon cancer). Equimolar doses of FA and MTHF (control=1mg/kg diet; supplemental=10mg/kg diet) were provided to rats injected a colorectal carcinogen, azoxymethane, following ACF formation. At necropsy, colorectal lesions and tumour parameters were assessed histologically and compared. 5MTHF resulted in higher plasma folate concentration compared to FA (p

Advisor: Kim, Young-In
Balancing Graph Processing Workloads Using Work Stealing on Heterogeneous CPU-FPGA Systems

We propose, implement, and evaluate a work stealing based scheduler, called HWS, for graph processing on heterogeneous CPU-FPGA systems that tightly couple the CPU and the FPGA to share system memory. HWS addresses unique concerns that arise with work stealing in the context of our target systems. Our evaluation is conducted on the Intel Heterogeneous Architecture Research Platform (HARPv2), using three key graph processing kernels. Weshow that HWS effectively balances workloads, and results in better graph processing performance compared to static scheduling, and a representative of existing adaptive scheduling techniques, called HAP. Improvements vary, but can be up to 100% over static scheduling, and up to 12% over HAP. We also compare to an oracle chunk self-scheduler. HWS achieves the same performance as the oracle at the maximum number of threads. These results collectively demonstrate the effectiveness of work stealing for scheduling graph processing workloads on our target platform.

Keywords: fpga
graph processing
heterogenous
load balancing
work stealing
Advisor: Abdelrahman, Tarek S
An Autoethnographic Perspective on Restorative English Education in Marginalized Communities

In this autoethnographic study, the author explores how restorative English education can meet the needs of minoritized English learners with a particular focus on Indigenous learners of English. After reviewing the literature on several interrelated pedagogies, she braids together 1) stories from her childhood and adolescence in Toronto where she faced numerous types of discrimination as a Patois speaker and the child of Caribbean parents new to Canada, with 2) stories from her 10 years as a teacher in Attawapiskat as well as her time as a teacher in the ‘South”, and 3) stories shared by elders and other members of the Attawapiskat community. This autoethnography shines light on why it is problematic to impose a ‘one size fits all’ curriculum on minoritized English learners and provides concrete suggestions on how to implement restorative English education to help English learners develop a sense of self-worth while addressing social justice issues.

Keywords: Adolescents
Indigenous
Literacy
Marginalized
Pedagogy
Restorative
Advisor: Gagné, Antoinette
Development of an Expeller Extraction for Beta-carotene from Carrot Pomace via Lecithin-Linkers Microemulsions

This work introduces a new green extraction solvent, based on fully dilutable lecithin-linkers microemulsions (LLMs), that is used in a continuous expeller to recover -carotene from carrot pomace obtained after carrot juice production. The optimal LLMs for the extraction was identified via the HLD-NAC framework, and the predicted formulations confirmed via phase behavior studies. An expeller extraction method was developed and optimized for -carotene yield, with respect to LLMs. The results suggest that the combination of expeller and LLMs extraction have 3-6 fold increase in -carotene extraction as compared to other extraction methods. The optimal extraction is obtained with highly diluted LLMs, that lead to the lowest extraction costs. The LLMs containing extracted -carotene were microencapsulated via spray-drying to extend shelf life and prevent the release of -carotene at the stomach’s pH. The encapsulated product is a free-flowing powder that can be incorporated into a variety of products.

Keywords: beta-carotene extraction
expeller extraction
food-grade microemulsions
HLD-NAC
Microencapsulation
Spray drying
Advisor: Acosta, Edgar J
Development of a Novel Method for the Diagnosis of Sarcopenia Using Thigh DXA Imaging

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of muscle mass and function, increases the risk of falls and thus fractures and has unclear/ indistinct thresholds. Historically, sarcopenia is characterized in terms of lean mass index (LMI, lean mass/ ht2) or appendicular lean mass index (ALMI, appendicular lean mass/ ht2). However, recent studies have shown that function declines more rapidly than lean mass with age, leading to a transition in the defining criteria for sarcopenia from mass towards function. Purpose: This research investigates the thigh region of interest within a whole-body DXA scan to calculate muscle volume, area, and density, and evaluates whether these metrics perform better than ALMI and LMI in relation to function. Method: DXA scans were acquired during implementation of the Sarcopenia in Women Across the Lifespan (SarWol) study, a cross-sectional study of 30 healthy premenopausal (age 35.82 ± 7.67), 30 healthy postmenopausal (age 67.04 ± 7.47), and 26 postmenopausal women with recurrent falls (age 71.26 ± 8.82). A Hologic Discovery system was used by ISCD-trained technologists to acquire the scans. Two subregions, a mid-thigh region and a half-thigh region, normalized to the participant’s femur length were placed precisely on each whole body scan. As opposed to the commonly used cylindrical model, two truncated cone models were applied to each region, namely, a cone model and an elliptical model. Sets of parameters were extracted to distinguish the subcutaneous fat from the standard outputs of the DXA software. Then, equations were developed to obtain muscle area, density, and volume in each subregion based on each geometrical model and tissue properties. Knee-extension torque using a Biodex dynamometer was obtained for each participant in a standardized fashion. Correlation coefficients and multivariate linear regression models were used to evaluate DXA-derived parameters (ALMI, LMI and our new thigh muscle parameters) in relation to knee-extension torque and grip strength. Results: The DXA-derived muscle volume was moderately correlated to knee-extension torque while ALMI (r = 0.16, p = .130) and LMI (r = -0.01, p = 0.961) were not significantly correlated. r Mid-thigh Half-thigh Knee-Extension Torque Elliptical model 0.42 0.42 Cone Model 0.37 0.40 p

Keywords: DXA
Sarcopenia
Strength
Thigh
Advisor: Cheung, Angela M
Engineering a Core-shell Electrospun Fibrous Nerve Wrap for the Local Release of FK506 (Tacrolimus)

Local FK506 delivery enhances peripheral nerve regeneration whilst mitigating negative side-effects. We aimed to 1) develop a FK506 delivery nerve wrap with properties for clinical application, 2) sustain bioactive FK506 release, and 3) ensure the wrap is biocompatible and biodegradable. The wrap was fabricated using coaxial electrospinning with polycarbonate urethane (PCNU) and FK506. PCNU/FK506 nerve wraps were found to have a strong elastic modulus (2.38 ± 1.05 MPa) to withstand surgical manipulation and are thermally stable. The nerve wraps encapsulated and released bioactive FK506 almost completely but, burst release occurred within 12 days. Nerve wraps degraded over 60 days, did not cause major acute or chronic inflammation, and the FK506 present in nerve wraps suppressed T lymphocytes, with the result that the wraps did not cause chronic nerve compression. The PCNU/FK506 nerve wraps are a clinically-feasible adjunct device to microsurgical repair of injured nerves and can potentially enhance regeneration outcomes.

Keywords: Coaxial electrospinning
FK506
Local drug delivery
Nerve wrap
Peripheral nerve regeneration
Tacrolimus
Advisor: Borschel, Gregory H
Gordon, Tessa
Lab-on-a-Rod: Size-based Particle Separation using Inertial Microfluidics

Size-based particle separation using inertial microfluidics in spiral channels has been well studied over the past decade. Though these devices can effectively separate particles, they require a relatively large device footprint with typical outer diameters in the range of 30 mm. In this thesis, a microfluidic device with an overall diameter of 5.5 mm containing a helical channel capable of inertial particle separation fabricated using abrasive jet micromachining is described. Particle positions for several channel geometries were studied using wide-field fluorescence microscopy. A maximum separation efficiency of approximately 90% was achieved at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min with a purity of approximately 95% at the large particle outlet. An accompanying computational fluid dynamics model was developed to allow researchers to quickly assess the separation capability of their helical or spiral devices.

Keywords: Abrasive jet
Computational fluid dynamics
Microfluidics
Micromachining
Particle separation
Advisor: Spelt, Jan K
Papini, Marcello
First-principles Investigation of 2D Phosphorus for Energy Storage Applications

Allotropes of 2D phosphorus have presented themselves as appealing candidate materials for improved energy storage systems to meet current demands. In this thesis, first-principles simulations were conducted to predict the performances of these materials. Blue phosphorene was studied as an anode material for Na-ion and K-ion batteries, and predictions of key performance indicators showed its potential. Additionally, phosphorene’s catalytic properties towards discharge and charge at the cathode for Li-air batteries were estimated. Using overpotentials as a measure of efficiency, phosphorene was able to contribute towards reasonable values showing its promise for future implementation. As phosphorene’s ambient degradation limits its more widespread implementation, strain engineering was explored as a method towards increased stability. It was found that compressive strain can induce an activation barrier towards singlet oxidation splitting, thereby inhibiting the first step of the degradation process.

Keywords: batteries
density functional theory
energy storage
phosphorus
two-dimensional materials
Advisor: Singh, Chandra Veer
Towards Effective Safety Benchmarking: Scope and Factor Selection

The construction industry is known for its high safety risk compared with other industries and effective safety benchmarking is essential to continuously monitor and improve safety performance. In this research, the safety culture and three categories of safety performance, namely physical injuries, psychological stresses, and unsafe events, were investigated with a self-administered survey and the data were analyzed using statistical and machine learning approaches. Two foundational elements to achieve effective safety benchmarking were examined: benchmarking scope and benchmarking factors. It was found that safety culture and performance can differ between construction sectors and geographic regions. Thus, they should be considered during the benchmarking scope determination. Factors influencing safety performance were ranked according to their importance and the top-ranked factors are recommended priority when limited resources for safety management occur.

Keywords: Benchmarking
Boruta feature selection
Construction safety
Construction sector
Safety culture
Safety indicator
Advisor: McCabe, Brenda
Hyatt, Douglas
Supporting Urban Stormwater Management Programs with a User-fee: The Evaluation of Experiences from New South Wales/Blacktown City Council, Philadelphia and Mississauga

In the absence of adequate and consistent funding from traditional revenue sources, cities consider or implement a user-fee to sustainably support stormwater management initiatives. User-fees are policy tools charging customers for their consumption and utilization of a service the government delivers. Cities report favourable results as user-fees provide dedicated funding due to purposeful collection. However, it is challenging to design and administer a stormwater user-fee as staff must balance various considerations while responding to those in opposition. In fact, opposition has halted implementation in multiple cities. For instance, officials and the City of Toronto’s electorate viewed the 2017 Stormwater Charge as regressive, resulting in the initiative's abandonment. By assessing user-fee programs in three broadly comparable cities to Toronto – New South Wales/Blacktown City Council (Australia), Philadelphia (USA), and Mississauga (Canada) – this research determines if key recommendations from broadly comparable cities can inform the design and administration of a user-fee for Toronto.

Keywords: Municipal Works Infrastructure
Policy Tools
Stormwater Financing and Funding
Stormwater Management
Sustainablity
User-Fee
Advisor: Prudham, Scott
The Development of English and Arabic Language and Literacy Skills of Syrian Refugee Children and Youth in Canada

Language and literacy skills are crucial for the integration and academic achievement of refugee students. In particular, heritage language (L1) maintenance and majority language (L2) acquisition are key to achieving optimal acculturation outcomes. This study examined the performance of Syrian refugee children and youth in word reading, vocabulary and reading comprehension in Arabic and English over a one-year time period. In addition, the extent to which proximal and distal factors pertaining to the child/youth predict performance on the three measures was investigated. Findings suggest that one school year of English instruction enhanced students’ English performance and reduced the gap between them and their monolingual peers. Evidence of Arabic language progress was also demonstrated. Moreover, age and parental education were among the factors predicting English and Arabic language proficiency. Implications are discussed as well as recommendations to promote Arabic and English language and literacy skills in school-aged Syrian refugees.

Keywords: Children and Youth
Language and Literacy
Refugees
Advisor: Chen, Dr. Xi
The Underrepresentation of Youth from Low-income Communities in STEM Education: A Case Study Illustration from One Organization Seeking to Confront this Situation

This study explores the underrepresentation of youth from low-income communities in STEM education. The data for this thesis is taken from a larger study looking at community responsiveness in STEM clubs belonging to a single organization. Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews. This study uses social dominance theory to carry out a case study analysis. Social dominance theory encourages examination of group-based hierarchy as three related social dimensions: age, gender, and “arbitrary set.” In this study social dominance theory is explored focusing on hierarchy enhancing and hierarchy attenuating forces. The interviews reveal that the STEM clubs are uniquely positioned in the minds of youth participants as a positive STEM learning environment. However, the extent to which these attributes can reverse underrepresentation trends of youth from low-income communities is confronted by inequities in STEM education. This thesis ends by making a call for the STEM clubs to enhance community-oriented STEM education.

Advisor: Burke, Carol-Ann
Gaztambide-Fernandez, Rubén
Localized Globality in Colonial Korean Literature: Ch’angjo as part of the ‘Little Magazine’ Movement

This thesis analyzes the Korean literary coterie magazine Ch’angjo (1919-1921) as part of the global little magazine movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The analysis is conducted on three different levels of increasing depth: the material, the linguistic, and the literary semantic. Through these levels of analysis, it becomes clear that while the writers of the Ch’angjo coterie were aware of and utilizing many Western literary forms and ideologies in their writing, it was with the overarching aim of elevating their own national literature to be on par with the global literature they encountered while studying in Japan. These forms and ideas were translated into the Korean literary context, not with an aim to make Korean literature emulate the Western, but rather to indigenize these forms within a wholly Korean context. The results of these experimentations helped form the foundations of modern Korean literature.

Keywords: Ch'angjo
Colonial Literature
Korean Language
Korean literature
Little Magazines
Vernacularization
Advisor: Poole, Janet
Gibbs Pruning: A Framework for Structured and Unstructured Neural Network Pruning

Gibbs pruning is a novel framework for expressing and designing neural network pruning methods. Combining approaches from statistical physics and stochastic regularization methods, it can train and prune a network simultaneously in such a way that the learned weights and pruning mask are well-adapted for each other. It can be used for structured or unstructured pruning and we propose a number of specific methods for each. We compare our proposed methods to a number of contemporary neural network pruning methods and find that Gibbs pruning outperforms them. In particular, we achieve a new state-of-the-art result for pruning ResNet-56 with the CIFAR-10 dataset.

Keywords: artificial intelligence
edge intelligence
machine learning
neural network compression
neural network pruning
neural networks
Advisor: Valaee, Shahrokh
Prediction of Overall and Differential Treatment Response for Depression using Personality Facets: Evaluating Multivariable Prediction Models using Multi-Study Data

The potential utility of self-reported personality in the context of a ‘personalized medicines’ approach to the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) remains unclear. Specifically, although cross-sectional relations between the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality and MDD are well-established, treatment-related studies have had several limitations (e.g., focused on FFM domains, less focused on optimal treatment selection). Using multi-study data with similar methodologies, the present study was concerned with exploring whether FFM facets can be used to robustly predict overall treatment response (OTR) and differential treatment response (DTR). Results suggested that various FFM facets were able to best predict OTR in HRSD scores, while pre-treatment depression was able to best predict OTR in BDI-II scores. Results did not support the use of any of the candidate variables for DTR in BDI-II scores, while a variety of models with different predictor combinations were supported for DTR in HRSD scores.

Keywords: depression
machine learning
personality
personalized medicine
treatment
Advisor: Bagby, Robert M
Patient and Public Co-design of Smart Technologies for Health Care: A Meta-narrative Review

This thesis reports on how patient and public co-design of smart technologies for health care has been conceptualized in the academic literature. Drawing on perspectives from critical data studies, it analyzed findings to generate insights into the circumstances under which co-design might create a positive future with these technologies as they become more deeply embedded in health care. Three meta-narratives animating the literature on co-design of smart technologies for health care were identified: co-design as usable design, co-design as responsible design, and co-design as design by society. The study concludes with the presentation of a series of ‘myths and misconceptions’ related to co-design of smart technologies for health care. It suggests that these myths serve particular interests over time, and that alternative formulations might serve as a starting point for illuminating strategies that enable co-design to engage with the broader range of normative issues raised by digital capitalism.

Keywords: Co-design
Data
Health Care
Internet-of-Things
Participatory Design
Smart Technology
Advisor: Shaw, Jay A.
Jadad, Alex R.
Fusion of ECG and PPG Signals in Apply to Spoof Detection and Biometric Authentication

This thesis proposes a novel spoof detection method in biometric systems upon fusing ECG and PPG characteristics. The suggested model is constituted by two main phases: First, authentication of each of the ECG and PPG signals; Second, validation of the correlation between ECG-PPG pair. During the first phase, each ECG and PPG is processed separately to distinguish natural or artificial signals. For this purpose, a set of signal processing, feature extraction, and machine learning methods have been utilized. If the authenticity of the input signal is confirmed, the second phase will be implemented to evaluate the general characteristics of the two signals pair at different timestamps through calculating the correlation features between signals’ spectro-temporal modulations. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) generates detection results to determine whether the two signals belong to the same identity. Experiment results indicate that the proposed methodology detect spoof attacks with average accuracy of 98.9\%.

Keywords: Authentication
Biometric detection
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Fusion
Photoplethysmogram (PPG)
Spoof detection
Advisor: Hatzinakos, Dimitrios
Non-invasive Detection and Classification of Prostate Cancer using Plasma Cell-free DNA Methylomes

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. Diagnosis and staging of the disease heavily relies on prostate specific antigen (PSA) which suffers from low specificity and can lead to unnecessary biopsies and result in overtreatment, undertreatment, or unnecessary treatment of indolent disease. Therefore, novel non-invasive biomarkers with improved accuracy for prostate cancer diagnosis and classification are required. The findings from our study have identified 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) plasma cell-free DNA methylation patterns that can distinguish localized prostate cancer patients from healthy subjects, and metastatic prostate cancer patients from localized prostate cancer patients. Potential diagnostic differentially methylated regions (DMRs) have been identified which correlate to downregulated gene expression, and metastatic DMRs and differentially hydroxymethylated gene bodies (DhMGs) have also been identified. We also found metastatic patients with high hyper and low hypo DMRs encounter worse progression-free survival and overall survival. Therefore, the findings in this study provide the groundwork for identifying accurate non-invasive markers for prostate cancer detection and classification.

Keywords: Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA)
Methylation
Prostate Cancer
Advisor: He, Housheng H