VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Model Predictive Control Based Motion Drive Algorithm for a Driving Simulator

In this research, we develop a model predictive control based motion drive algorithm for the driving simulator at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. Motion drive algorithms exploit the limitations of the human vestibular system to formulate a perception of motion within the constrained workspace of a simulator. In the absence of visual cues, the human perception system is unable to distinguish between acceleration and the force of gravity. The motion drive algorithm determines control inputs to displace the simulator platform, and by using the resulting inertial forces and angular rates, creates the perception of motion. By using model predictive control, we can optimize the use of simulator workspace for every maneuver while simulating the vehicle perception. With the ability to handle nonlinear constraints, the model predictive control allows us to incorporate workspace limitations.

Keywords: dynamics
model predictive control
motion drive algorithm
motion perception
optimal control
simulator
Advisor: Grant, Peter R
Haycock, Bruce
Does Creatine Supplementation Reduce Lengthening Contraction Induced Muscle Damage?

Creatine supplementation (Cr+) is known to increase recovery between exercise bouts and may increase force production capabilities of skeletal muscle. Heat shock proteins (Hsps), are up-regulated in skeletal muscle following damage, particularly following lengthening contractions (LC). Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of Cr supplementation (Cr+; 14 days @ 300mg/kg) on skeletal muscle damage following 15 and 25 LCs. In each the left tibilais anterior (TA) of (n=6) Cr+ and Cr- Sprague-Dawley rats underwent LCs (either 15 or 25). No significant differences in TA Hsp content were observed between Cr- and Cr+ animals following 25 LCs, with both showing elevated Hsp72 and 25 content. Fifteen LCs also significantly increased Hsp72 content in both groups, but Hsp25 was significantly elevated only in Cr- animals. In summary, Cr supplementation did not significantly reduce LC induced muscle damage. However, it remains possible that Cr supplementation may reduce stress following 15 LCs.

Keywords: Creatine
Muscle
Advisor: Locke, Marius
The Effect of Estrogen Deprivation on the Cellular Stress Response following Muscle Damage

TA muscles from ovary-intact (OVI; n=12) and ovariectomized (OVX; n=12) female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to either 20 or 40 LCs. No differences in any muscle contractile properties were observed in TA muscles between OVI and OVX animals. Skeletal muscle fibre changes following ovariectomy included increased (P

Keywords: Estrogen
Heat Shock Proteins
Skeletal Muscle
Advisor: Locke, Marius
Equitable University Access for Under-represented and Diverse Groups of Students: A Critical Analysis of the Discourse in Mission Statements and Strategic Mandate Agreements

Ontarioâ s post-secondary education sector has sought to address access of under-represented groups since the 1980â s. This study investigated whether and how these efforts are reflected in university mission statements (MSs), and the more recent Strategic Mandate Agreements (SMAs), which indicate how and why the institutions are differentiated. Key term searches and critical discourse analysis (CDA) found few mentions of access or diversity in either the MSs or the differentiation sections of the SMAs across the 20 provincially-funded Ontario universities that were included in this study. The universities emphasized geographic location and national and international partnerships. These emphases can be read as less welcoming to members of some under-represented groups than to others. Implications for universities as they create public statements of their priorities and values are discussed.

Keywords: Critical discourse analysis
Differentiation
Mission statement
Ontario
Policy analysis
Social inclusion
Advisor: Childs, Ruth A.
Electromagnetic and Mechanical Perturbations of Photonic Crystal Slab Sensors

Modifications to existing two dimensional photonic crystal slabs (PCS) are designed, to perturb device properties for benefits in refractive index and optoacoustic sensing. Sub-wavelength metal features are added to dielectric PCS devices, providing a method of control of the electromagnetic near-field. These designs suffer a quality factor / sensitivity trade-off, while maintaining detection limits on the same order of magnitude as standard PCS and localized surface plasmon based refractive index sensors. The use of a thinned substrate under all-dielectric PCS devices is examined for the purpose of creating acoustically sensitive, single component optical resonators. Tested samples demonstrate system limited sub-MPa detection limits, flat bandwidth responses in the low MHz range, and microsecond event separations. Future applications and avenues of research are discussed.

Advisor: Levi, Ofer
Formulation of a Kit for the Preparation of 111In-BzDTPA-NLS-trastuzumab Injection under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): An Auger Electron-emitting Radioimmunotherapeutic Agent for HER2-positive Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: To advance 111In-BzDTPA-NLS-trastuzumab to a Phase I/II clinical trial, studies were conducted to develop a kit under GMP conditions to prepare clinical quality 111In-BzDTPA-NLS-trastuzumab injection. METHODS: Trastuzumab was buffer-exchanged into 0.1 M NaHCO3, then reacted with 10-fold molar excess of BzDTPA. The ICs were then buffer-exchanged into 0.1 M NaPO4 with 0.01% PS20. Purified BzDTPA-trastuzumab was reacted with 5-fold molar excess of sulfo-SMCC in 0.1 M NaPO4 with 0.01% PS20. Following re-purification, the ICs were reacted with 60-fold molar excess of NLS peptides. The BzDTPA-NLS-trastuzumab ICs were buffer-exchanged into 0.05 M NH4Ac with 0.01% PS20. Unit dose kits meeting specifications for pharmaceutical quality were prepared. MicroSPECT/CT was performed in mice with SK-OV-3 human ovarian cancer xenografts. RESULTS: Three kits that met specifications for pharmaceutical quality were manufactured. Tumor xenografts were imaged by microSPECT/CT. CONCLUSION: Careful selection of reaction conditions was required to obtain kits that met all specifications.

Advisor: Reilly, Raymond
Characterization of F-actin Flashes on Phagosomes in Macrophages

Macrophages are specialised leukocytes tasked with the engulfment and destruction of foreign particles. We are studying particle uptake by the CR3 receptor in macrophages. Post particle internalization, we have shown that F-actin localizes transiently at phagosome membranes and this event, termed F-actin flashing, often results in red blood cell deformation, lysis and occasionally fission, suggestive of a force-generating property. Putative mechanosensing properties were also proposed based on identification of certain phagosome membrane-localized proteins, as well as distinctions in temporal dynamics based on the internalized particleâ s malleability. We have also reported that certain stages of maturation were delayed in phagosomes exhibiting F-actin flashing. Finally, inhibiting myosin IIA activity significantly reduced the frequency at which red blood cell-containing phagosomes became deformed simultaneously with transient F-actin accumulation. Actomyosin-driven contractions could serve to physically distort malleable particles, akin to â chewingâ , which may have implications in phagosome maturation, as well as antigen presentation.

Advisor: Harrison, Rene E
Exploring the Role of Centre of Mass Variability in Reactive Balance Control

Increased variability of movement is related to increased risk for falls. The objective of the current work was to better understand the role of variability in balance control. It was hypothesized that high centre of mass (COM) variability (position and velocity) while standing would induce a stepping response after a balance perturbation compared to low COM variability. It was also hypothesized that a low margin of stability (MOS) at perturbation onset would induce stepping response after a platform perturbation. Fourteen young adults (20-35 years old) were recruited. Participants experienced postural perturbations when standing using surface translations. COM variability and MOS did not differ between stepping and feet in place responses. The current results suggest that transient changes in movement variability may not influence reactive balance control. Instead, increased movement variability may be a sign of aging or motor impairment.

Keywords: balance control
center of mass
healthy young adults
margin of stability
reactive stepping
standing
Advisor: Mansfield, Avril
Investigating the Role of Glycogen Accumulation in Neurodegeneration and Brain Aging

It has been shown that neurons unlike glial cells under normal conditions do not store glycogen however accumulation of glycogen up to a certain level can be protective to neurons under different stress conditions. On the other hand, several recent studies have demonstrated that aberrant accumulation of glycogen in neurons can lead to premature aging and neurodegeneration in both flies and mice. Moreover, inhibiting glycogen synthase (GS), which prevents glycogen accumulation, increases the lifespan of flies and mice. Increased glycogen has also been linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Here, I show that accumulation of glycogen in neurons affect the sensitivity of flies to oxidative stress. I show that 10 days of overexpression of a constitutively active glycogen synthase in neurons was beneficial for flies under oxidative stress and no difference in sensitivity was observed at 20 days. Further studies are still needed for a more in-depth understanding of the contribution of glycogen accumulation to neurodegeneration and determining whether there is a threshold level of glycogen, which leads to pathogenic effects.

Advisor: Boulianne, Gabrielle L
Autism and Social Justice Education: Toward an Inclusive Education System in Uganda

Autism and Social Justice Education: Toward an Inclusive Education System in Uganda Master of Arts Social Justice Education Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) The University of Toronto 2017 Lwanga G. Musisi Abstract This thesis draws from a critical disability studies framework to examine the extent to which students with autism are excluded from the educational system. Using secondary sources and in-depth review of the literature, it investigates three related questions. a) How does the Ugandan education system perceive social justice education? b) What is the status of autistic children within this system? c) What are the gaps and challenges faced by learners and educationists in as far as autism is concerned in Uganda? I argue that while Uganda has some progressive legislation regarding the provision of education to persons with disabilities, and subscribes to the international idioms of human rights, human capital and social justice; Uganda continues to privilege the medical model of disability over the social model of disability. Consequently, Uganda has been slow to provide a truly inclusive learning environment that promotes social justice education for all students.

Keywords: Autism
Inclusive education
Pedagogy
Social justice
Advisor: Dei, George S
Wane, Njoki
Madly Off in Different Directions or, Interprofessional Decision Making in Hypertonicity Management

Collaborative decision making is key to interprofessional health care practice. This qualitative study explored the decision making process in the interprofessional management of hypertonicity. Eleven nurses, occupational therapists, physiatrists and physical therapists were interviewed. Data were analyzed using grounded theory method. A provisional theory and model of Interprofessional Decision Making in the Management of Hypertonicity emerged. Effective interprofessional decision making is built on a foundation of a level playing field. The process involves gathering and sharing information, developing a shared understanding of the functional goal, discussing back and forth, and recognizing that a decision evolves with new information. Understanding the interprofessional decision making process assists health care providers to create shared, integrated rehabilitation plans more efficiently. Findings may guide aspects of interprofessional collaborative care, i.e., patient care outcomes, service delivery, education, and clinical or organizational policy. Further exploration of the role of team psychological safety and professional humility is warranted.

Keywords: decision making
health care professionals
hypertonicity
interprofessional
patient management
Advisor: Rappolt, Susan
Brand Promotion for Educational Leadership Program in Canadian Universities: Its Impact on Students’ Choice in Ontario’s Graduate School

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the brand promotion for educational leadership program in Canadian universities: its impact on students’ choice in Ontario’s graduate school, with the purpose to explore and compare brand promotion strategies that PSEIs apply to entice prospective students to their school of choice. Theoretical framework and related literature were reviewed as a preliminary response to the research questions. Method: A qualitative research, the participants were purposefully sampled, based on the five avowed Ontario universities that offer the mentioned program. Instruments for data collection and analysis were: interviews of five public relations officers, transcribed by Voice base software and questionnaire for twenty students constructed and analysed with survey monkey software. Results: The participants’ responses presented different educational brand promotional strategies and reasons for students’ school of choice. Conclusion: The data suggests that brand promotion strategies lure students to their school of choice and sustain the institution’s legitimacy. Abstract Objective: This study investigated the brand promotion for educational leadership program in Canadian universities: its impact on students’ choice in Ontario’s graduate school, with the purpose to explore and compare brand promotion strategies that PSEIs apply to entice prospective students to their school of choice. Theoretical framework and related literature were reviewed as a preliminary response to the research questions. Method: A qualitative research, the participants were purposefully sampled, based on the five avowed Ontario universities that offer the mentioned program. Instruments for data collection and analysis were: interviews of five public relations officers, transcribed by Voice base software and questionnaire for twenty students constructed and analysed with survey monkey software. Results: The participants’ responses presented different educational brand promotional strategies and reasons for students’ school of choice. Conclusion: The data suggests that brand promotion strategies lure students to their school of choice and sustain the institution’s legitimacy.

Keywords: Brand Promotional Strategies
Educational Leadership
Educational Marketing
Graduate Program
Marketing Strategies
Recruiting Strategies
Advisor: Bascia, Nina
Catalytic Production of Renewable Diesel in High-temperature Water and Potential Integration with a Protein Isolation Process

Nickel catalysts with a Ni loading of 20 wt.% were synthesized and tested for activity towards the production of hydrocarbons from an aqueous emulsion of canola oil (20 wt.%). This oil loading was chosen to simulate the composition of the typical extract from the aqueous extraction of oil seeds currently being explored as an alternative to the conventional solvent extraction in the edible oil industry. Moderate yield (>50%) and selectivity (~70%) of hydrocarbons within the diesel range were obtained within 12h of reaction at 315 o C under an initial hydrogen headspace pressure at 1.95MPa. It was also shown that a prolonged experimental run at 305 o C can result in near-complete conversion of triglyceride oil into diesel-range hydrocarbons (70%) and oxygenates (9%) with selectivity ~80%. The disappearance of stearic acid obeyed first order behavior and an activation energy of 305 kJ/mole was calculated.

Keywords: Catalytic
Decarbonylation
Decarboxylation
Green Diesel
Hydrothermal
Renewable Diesel
Advisor: Diosady, Levente L
An Experimental Study of the Sub-critical Flow Past a Circular Cylinder Fitted with a Single Start Helical Surface Wire

This study experimentally investigates the structure of the flow past a circular cylinder fitted with a helical wire perturbation using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Hydrogen Bubble Flow Visualization (HBFV). Dual shear layers having the same sign of vorticity are observed when the helical wire passes from angular locations between 35 deg. and 55 deg. with respect to the forward stagnation point. Such shear layers have been recorded in the literature for the three-start helical wire type protrusions, and have been attributed to interactions induced by the presence of multiple wires. This work shows, however, that a single wire is sufficient to produce this behavior. HBFV images and the divergence of the 2-D velocity field measured using PIV show that a portion of the incoming flow arriving at the wire is diverted along the length of the wire, which later is observed to intermittently turn and flow over the wire, thus influencing the flow downstream of the cylinder. Finally, the swirling vortices induce streamwise vortical patterns and disrupt the Karman vortex tube.

Keywords: Flow past cylinder
Helical wire
Passive flow control
Sub-critical Reynolds number
Vortex-induced vibrations
Vortex shedding
Advisor: Ekmekci, Alis
Exploring the Experiences of Youth and Young Adults with ABI as They Transition Towards Work-related Roles

Background: Understanding the experiences of youth and young adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) as they transition towards work-related roles is important because it provides insight into what resources, supports, and coping strategies are necessary to ensure a successful transition. Objective: Explore the experiences of youth and young adults as they transition towards work- related roles. Methods: A descriptive qualitative design, including semi-structured interviews of 14 participants (6 male; 8 female) was used. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Lent, Brown, and Hackettâ s (1994) Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) informed data analysis and data interpretation. Findings: Three themes emerged: (1) Getting to know the new me; (2) Navigating support systems; and (3) Taking control of my experience. Conclusion: These findings suggest further investigation is needed to understand the varying levels of support that are involved during their transition, future supports needed, and how to acquire and maintain a strong identity.

Keywords: Brain Injury
Qualitative
Work-related roles
Young Adults
Youth
Advisor: Lindsay, Sally
Kirsch, Bonnie
Investigating the Roles of the Putative Splicing Factor EMB-4 in Small RNA Pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans

Small RNA pathways are essential for germline gene expression and maintenance of germline genome integrity. In C. elegans, two Argonautes function antagonistically to promote proper germline gene expression and development, CSR-1 and WAGO-9/HRDE-1. WAGO-9/HRDE-1 acts downstream of the piRNA pathway to silence deleterious nucleic acids, while CSR-1 functions to protect germline genes from piRNA-mediated silencing. The two interact with an array of co-factors to elicit changes in gene expression in the nucleus, although their mechanisms are not fully understood. This study identifies one such co-factor, the putative splicing factor EMB-4. Using integrated cell and molecular biology and genomic approaches, I show that loss of emb-4 significantly perturbs CSR-1 and WAGO-9/HRDE-1 small RNA and mRNA transcriptomes. Moreover, I find that EMB-4 interacts with target transcripts of the two pathways differentially. These data implicate EMB-4 in small RNA biogenesis, potentially in relation to its role in the nuclear export of it targets.

Keywords: Argonaute
C. elegans
RNA processing
small RNA
splicing factor
Advisor: Claycomb, Julie M
Encoding of Physical and Relational Information in the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex

Stimuli are processed more quickly when they are presented within their original context. This phenomenon may depend on neural representations of situational context associated with the history of stimuli encountered in a particular environment. Here we report evidence that cells in the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) stably represent the current situation, regardless of moment-to-moment changes in the environment. Ensemble activity in the LEC drastically differentiated six blocks of Pavlovian conditioning, where each block differed in conditioning environment, conditioned stimulus, or the association between a conditioned and unconditioned stimulus. Despite high selectivity for stimulus features, firing rates of most cells were relatively stable throughout the entire conditioning block and marginally changed at stimulus onset. With learning, selectivity for the stimulus relationship improved, while selectivity for other features did not. The stable LEC ensemble code for the current situation may provide the basis for the formation and retrieval of accurate, context-rich memories.

Keywords: Associative memory
Context
Ensemble decoding
Episodic memory
Hippocampus
Single-unit activity
Advisor: Takehara-Nishiuchi, Kaori
Robust Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Skeletal Muscle Progenitors

Studies into muscle diseases have focussed more on the pathologies presented in mature skeletal muscle than on how this affects myogenic progenitors. Embryonic myogenesis and disease studies also rely on animal models, because of difficulty in obtaining human tissue samples. This study tested whether a step-wise approach mimicking myogenesis could derive embryonic skeletal muscle progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC), which in other studies was limited by poor purity and disruptive genetic modification. hPSCs were differentiated to express paraxial mesoderm markers, and modulating myogenic signalling pathways enriched for cells expressing early myogenic marker Pax3. However, further myogenic differentiation in this protocol was absent. Using a recently published protocol instead for skeletal muscle derivation from hPSCs generated considerable numbers of myogenic progenitors and myocytes. However, final differentiation purity was impeded by contamination arising at the start of differentiation. This approach highlighted challenges still faced in robustly recapitulating myogenesis in vitro.

Keywords: Biotechnology
Pluripotent
Skeletal Muscle
Stem Cells
Advisor: Gilbert, Penney M
Quasi-2D Liquid State at Metal-Organic Interface and Adsorption State Manipulation

The metal/organic interface between noble metal close-packed (111) surfaces and organic semiconducting molecules is studied using Scanning tunneling microscopy and Photoelectron Spectroscopy, supplemented by first principles density functional theory calculations and Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations. Copper Phthalocyanine molecules were shown to have dual adsorption states: a liquid state where intermolecular interactions were shown to be repulsive in nature and largely due to entropic effects, and a disordered immobilized state triggered by annealing or applying a tip-sample bias larger than a certain temperature or voltage respectively where intermolecular forces were demonstrated to be attractive. A methodology for altering molecular orientation on the aforementioned surfaces is also proposed through introduction of a Fullerene C60 buffer layer. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate orientation-switching of Copper Phthalocyanine molecules based on the amount of charges transferred to/from the substrate to the C60-CuPc layers; suggesting existence of critical substrate work functions that cause reorientation.

Keywords: 2d liquid
entropic order
interface
metal organic
organic
semiconductor
Advisor: Nogami, Jun