VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Mobile Offloading for Energy-efficient Computation on Smartphones

Mobile offloading enables mobile devices to distribute computation-intensive tasks to the cloud or other devices for energy conservation or performance gains. In principle, the idea is to trade the relatively low communication energy expense for high computation power consumption. In this thesis, we first focus on the technique of mobile code offloading to the cloud by proposing the new technique of coalesced offloading, which exploits the potential for multiple applications to coordinate their offloading requests with the objective of saving additional energy on mobile devices. We then turn our attention to collaborative mobile computing where a group of mobile users with the common target job form coalitions to reduce the overall energy costs. We propose distributed collaboration strategies through game theory, and formulate the problem as a non-transferable utility coalitional game, and solve it by merge and split rules.

Advisor: Li, Baochun
Engineering a Ni(II)-independent NikR to Determine the Role of the α3-helix in the Mechanism of Ni(II)-activated DNA Binding

Intracellular nickel concentration in Escherichia coli is controlled by a transcription factor called NikR, which represses the nikABCDE operon, encoding a nickel specific transporter. The crystal structure of NikR-DNA complex reveals that nickel binding in the metal-binding domain (MBD) stabilize α3-helix that could promote DNA binding. To provide biochemical evidence for the role of the stabilized α3-helix in the proposed mechanism, the goal of this study was to engineer a NikR mutant that is able to bind to the nik promoter in the absence of nickel. To achieve this goal, two cysteine residues were introduced at positions 70 and 77 in the MBD of NikR, and several crosslinkers were used to organize the α3-helical region. The presented data demonstrate that the crosslinked variants were incapable of binding DNA, suggesting that either the α3-helix was not sufficiently stabilized or that the stabilized α3-helix alone is not sufficient to activate DNA binding.

Advisor: Zamble, Deborah
A Model for Computed Tomography Capacity Planning and Identifying Opportunities to Improve Utilization and Patient Access

A capacity planning model was developed to improve decision making around CT facilities and ultimately, increase patient access to CT services. The capacity planning model is used to determine where and when CT scanners should be located, how many CT scanners are needed, and how many shifts should be staffed to achieve a minimum percent of demand served within a catchment area while minimizing cost. Saskatchewan is used as a case study. Utilization and access metrics are calculated to evaluate the current situation at Saskatchewan's CT facilities and for their patients. These metrics were used to estimate model parameters and the model was run for scenarios to evaluate the cost and access trade-offs. The results indicate one new CT facility need to be implemented now to reach 90% of demand in 2 hours and a second facility is needed by 2026.

Advisor: Vanderby, Sonia
Carter, Michael W
Sub-mW Receiver Front-end for Bluetooth Low Energy in 130nm Technology

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is the new operative mode introduced in the fourth release of the Bluetooth wireless technology standard. It is primarily designed for portable devices powered by coin cell batteries, including sensors and wearable biomedical devices. Under this standard, minimal power consumption is essential for the long-term functionality that these devices require. In this thesis, a sub-mW BLE receiver front-end operating under a 0.8 V supply is presented. Low power consumption is obtained sharing the same bias current among all the RF front-end building blocks and the first stage of the base-band. With an NF of 15.8 dB, an IIP3 of -17dBm at the maximum gain and an image rejection above 30 dB the receiver is fully compliant with BLE specifications with a minimum sensitivity of -84.2 dBm.

Advisor: Liscidini, Antonio
Examining the Differences in Silencing Properties between H-NS and its paralog, StpA

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a ubiquitous process that facilitates bacterial evolution. Horizontally acquired genes typically display a lower AT-content than the average of the host genome, and lead to detrimental consequences if not properly regulated. H-NS is a global regulator that binds to and represses expression of horizontally acquired genes. StpA is an H-NS paralog found exclusively in enteric bacteria. StpA and H-NS share many physical properties, but H-NS holds a more prominent role in silencing horizontally acquire genes. After passaging hns mutants, mutations in stpA were observed consistently. I demonstrate that many of these mutations make StpA more H-NS-like, complement hns mutant phenotypes, and repress transcription of many H-NS-dependent loci. My results suggest that StpA hyperoligomerizes and forms nucleocomplexes with DNA that are distinct from those that contain H-NS, providing insight into the role of StpA and highlighting oligomerization as a crucial property in silencing expression of genes.

Keywords: Genetics
H-NS
Microbiology
Salmonella
StpA
Xenogeneic silencer
Advisor: Navarre, William W
The Building Science of Office Surfaces: Implications for Microbial Community Succession

The Surface Project studied the microbial succession on office surfaces in nine offices in three North American cities. Building science parameters including relative humidity (RH), temperature, equilibrium relative humidity (ERH), illumination, and occupancy were measured to investigate their impact on microbial communities. Parameters were measured every five minutes over the course of a year. ERH, RH, temperature, occupancy, and illumination varied between offices, and cities which suggests that building characteristics and climate are important factors. RH, ERH, and temperature showed clear seasonal variation. The drywall ERH varied from ERH of ceiling tile and carpet and from the RH of air. Illumination was different in occupied and unoccupied offices. Occupancy did not cause that much difference in RH. Methodology analysis revealed no difference between different frequency measurements, although it is suggested that short-term intervals to be considered since long-term intervals may not show the large variation of building science parameters.

Keywords: Building science
Indoor air quality
Microbial community
Moisture
Office surfaces
Advisor: Siegel, Jeffrey Alexander
A Novel Design of the Heat Exchanger of an Aircraft's Environmental Controller

Redesign of a heat exchanger chassis of an aircraft's environmental controller developed by Honeywell was carried out using finite element analysis (FEA) to reduce overall cost and weight. Eight design alternatives were proposed to replace the current design and were evaluated using a decision matrix. Selected design involved introduction of bolted flanges into the chassis. Von-Mises stresses in the flanges and shear and tensile forces in the bolts were obtained by FEA using ANSYS. Flanges were further modified using safety margin and weight as optimization factors. The optimized flange contains a fluid passage with 0.08in wall thickness reduction and 0.14in passage length reduction. Furthermore, the overall weight was reduced by 0.026kg. After optimization, the margin of safety was improved from 0.041 to 0.580 for maximum operating pressure, and from -0.297 to 0.067 for burst pressure. The novel design accomplished weight and cost reduction along with improving the margins of safety.

Keywords: aerospace
Bolt
Bolted joint
design optimization
finite element analysis
heat exchanger
Advisor: BEHDINAN, KAMRAN
A Gate Sinking Threshold Voltage Adjustment Technique for High Voltage GaN HEMT

GaN-based power electronics receive many interests because of its wider bandgap, higher electron mobility and higher critical electrical field than silicon. However, the intrinsic AlGaN/GaN-based HEMT is a "normally-on" device. This thesis proposes a gate sinking method during the metal gate deposition to adjust the VT towards enhancement mode operation. This recessed gate process relies on the chemical reaction between Ta and AlGaN using a simple RTA procedure rather than the more complicated RIE method. This eliminates the need for etching with nanometer precision. During the Ta sputtering process, both Ar and N2 carrier gases are used to form TaN with work function in the range of 4.15 to 4.7 eV. The fabricated HV GaN HEMTs exhibit VT shift from -5 to -2 V. Moreover, the proposed device is compatible with silicon-CMOS technology to ensure cost-effective implementation of future high performance smart power ICs.

Keywords: GaN
HEMT
metal inter-diffusion
Power
Process
Recessed gate
Advisor: Ng, Wai Tung
Pathogenesis of Anti-integrin αIIb-mediated Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia: Establishment of Novel Murine Models in αIIb Deficient and Human αIIb Transgenic Mice

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a life threatening bleeding disorder caused by maternal antibodies targeting fetal/neonatal platelets. The incidence is approximately 1:1000 live births, but the frequency of FNAIT associated miscarriage has not been adequately investigated. FNAIT targeting the β3 subunit of integrin αIIbβ3 occurs in approximately 85% of reported cases, whereas αIIb-mediated-FNAIT only accounts for approximately 5% of reported cases although frequencies of polymorphisms in αIIb and β3 polypeptides are similar in the human population. It is unknown whether immune responses to these two subunits differ and currently no animal model exists to address this question. We hypothesize that αIIb-mediated-FNAIT causes a severe form of FNAIT (e.g. miscarriage), which may account for this discrepancy. Here, two new murine models of αIIb-mediated-FNAIT were established. Severe FNAIT (e.g. miscarriage and intracranial hemorrhage) is frequently observed, and we conclude that the severity of anti-αIIb-FNAIT may mask the clinically reported incidence of disease.

Keywords: Animal models
Fetal and neonatal illumine thrombocytopenia
Hematology
Platelets
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombosis
Advisor: Ni, Heyu
Studies on MITE amplification in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the de novo characterization of MITEs in the genome of Solanum lycopersicum

Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) have been found to reach high copy numbers in eukaryotic genomes. The underlying mechanisms of their transposition and the characterization of existing and novel MITEs are highly sought after. An IPCR-based system was developed to detect the copy number of the T7-neo MITE in the yeast genome. However, this system resulted in minimal detection of the MITE. Using bioinformatics programs MITE Digger and Mite Analysis Kit, MITE families were characterized in the genome of Solanum lycopersicum. Thirty-seven MITE families were classified and characteristic of DNA transposon superfamilies Tc1/mariner, CACTA, PIF/Harbinger, hAT and Transib. Divergence of the MITE families was calculated and of those least diverged, four showed evidence of transcription. Some were identified in the related genomes of Solanum pimpinellifolium, Solanum tuberosum, and Nicotiana tabacum. Overall, an experimental MITE amplification system and de novo characterization of MITEs contributes to understanding MITE amplification in eukaryotic genomes.

Keywords: bioinformatics
inverse PCR
Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements
MITE amplification
Transposable elements
yeast
Advisor: Yang, Guojun
Gene-environment Interplay on Oviposition Site Selection in Drosophila melanogaster

The underlying mechanisms of decision-making behaviour are poorly understood. Oviposition site selection (OSS) in the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly provides a useful system for studying simple decision-making. OSS is influenced by both genetic and environmental variation. Variation of the foraging gene (for) is known to affect OSS. Given a choice of high- and low-nutrient oviposition sites, groups of rovers (forR) lay significantly more of their eggs on low-nutrient sites than sitters (fors) and sitter mutants (fors2). I examined the roles of choice, female density, and for expression in gustatory neural circuitry in rover/sitter differences in OSS. I found a role of choice and female density in rover/sitter differences, and a role of for in response to glycerol, an indicator of yeast. However, driving for-mRNA expression in gustatory neurons using the GAL4/UAS system did not alter OSS. These findings suggest a central role of for in decision-making during OSS.

Keywords: choice
decision-making
Drosophila melanogaster
foraging gene
oviposition
social environment
Advisor: Fitzpatrick, Mark J
Sokolowski, Marla B
Patched-1 Intracellular Domains Interact with E3 Ubiquitin Ligases Smurf2 and Itch

Patched-1 (Ptch1) is the primary receptor of the Hedgehog signalling pathway and mediates both canonical and non-canonical signalling. Previously our lab identified a group of proteins that interact with the C-terminus of murine Ptch1 that possessed SH3- and WW- binding domains, chief among them being C2-WW-HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases. Using a molecular-based approach, we showed that E3 ligases Smurf2 and Itch bind through sequences within the large intracellular middle loop and C-terminus of murine Ptch1 (mPtch1). We further demonstrated that mPtch1 is ubiquitinated in the presence of Smurf2 and Itch and this requires the middle loop and C-terminus. We also showed that mPtch1 can oligomerize and that the stability of mPtch1 is affected when the middle loop and C-terminus are deleted. Together, these data reveal a role for E3 ubiquitin ligases in mediating protein turnover of mPtch1 and show that the intracellular domains of mPtch1 interact with distinct protein factors.

Keywords: Itch
Ptch1
Smurf2
Advisor: Hamel, Paul A
Ore-skin Design to Control Sloughage in Underground Open Stope Mining

In open stope underground mines, stope hangingwall (HW) sloughage is typically the main source of ore dilution. In cases where the immediate stope HW consists of a weak rock mass, the HW sloughage can be substantial and can result in increased dilution rates which have significant economic impact on the mine operation. This thesis presents an alternative design method which requires leaving a certain thickness of ore unmined (i.e., an ore-skin) to support the weak adjacent/overlying hangingwall. The ore-skin design approach is presented in the context of a hypothetical open stope mine to determine the feasibility of implementing this alternative design method to control HW sloughage. Both the economics and the geomechanical aspects of the ore-skin design are investigated. This study aims to determine the importance of considering alternative design approaches to optimize the open stope mining process.

Keywords: Design Optimization
DFN-3DEC
Dilution
Open Stoping
Ore-skin
Sloughage
Advisor: Esmaeili, Kamran
An Assessment of Direct Restorative Material Use in Posterior Teeth by Pediatric Dentists in Canada and the United States of America

An Assessment of Direct Restorative Material Use in Posterior Teeth by Pediatric Dentists in Canada and the United States of America Rae Varughese Masters of Science with Specialization in Pediatric Dentistry University of Toronto 2015 Abstract Objective: To evaluate clinical decision-making related to direct restorative materials placement in healthy, developmentally delayed (DD), and medically compromised (MC) patients. Methods: Data was collected by a self-administered online survey by Survey Gizmo® from all active members of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Statistical significance was set at a p value of

Advisor: Andrews, Paul
Broadband Optical Three Wave Mixing in AlGaAs Waveguides

This thesis presents Bragg reflector waveguide based AlGaAs tapered waveguides as means of achieving broadband difference frequency generation (DFG). Different fabrication processes are developed and optimized to fabricate devices with design specifications. In particular, the dry and wet etching recipes are optimized using design of experiments approaches (DOE). Response surface method is implemented to improve the etch quality and process robustness. The dry etching process is implemented to fabricate laterally tapered DFG devices. From nonlinear frequency conversion experiments, DFG bandwidth of some of the tapered devices showed a 3-fold bandwidth enhancement when compared to straight waveguides. DOE is also implemented for establishing an equirate wet etching process for beveled waveguides. DFG bandwidth of some of these beveled devices showed a 6-fold bandwidth enhancement when compared to straight waveguides. This enhancement in conversion bandwidth will benefit numerous devices that offer tuneable wavelength sources for applications in sensing and imaging.

Keywords: bandwidth
Bragg Waveguides
Compound Semicondutors
Difference frequency generation
Etching
Three wave mixing
Advisor: Helmy, Amr S
Arrestin Interactions with Rhodopsin in the Squid Visual System

Light activation of squid rhodopsin results in stimulation of the Gq signalling cascade. Activated rhodopsin (metarhodopsin) is a target for squid arrestin and squid rhodopsin kinase which are involved in the inactivation of metarhodopsin. The aim of this project is to characterize the interaction between squid rhodopsin and arrestin, and the role of phosphorylation on their interactions. We determined the affinity of arrestin for metarhodopsin to be 32nM. Two mutations to the polar core did not decrease the affinity of arrestin for metarhodopsin, suggesting a difference in basal structure of squid arrestin compared to other arrestins. Serine392 and Serine397 in the C-terminus of squid arrestin were phosphorylated by squid rhodopsin kinase. Arrestin phosphorylation decreased the affinity of arrestin binding to metarhodopsin, while metarhodopsin phosphorylation increased the dissociation of the two proteins. Further studies are required to identify mechanisms of metarhodopsin and arrestin dephosphorylation in the squid visual system.

Keywords: arrestin
phosphorylation
rhodopsin
squid
vision
Advisor: Mitchell, Jane A
Developing an In vitro Model of the OAF-CEP Interface: Towards Tissue Engineering the Intervertebral Disc

Bioengineering a biologically relevant interface is an essential element toward developing an intervertebral disc (IVD) replacement for the treatment of low back pain. To this end, this study further characterized the native outer annulus fibrosus (OAF)/cartilage endplate (CEP) interface of adolescent bovine and fetal human disc by immunohistochemical and mechanical methods. Secondly, a model of the interface was developed in vitro using a 3-dimensional contact co-culture system between in vitro-formed cartilage tissues and a trilamellar AF tissue formed using OAF cells and polycarbonate urethane (PU) scaffolds. The native bovine OAF-CEP interface showed mechanical stability up to peak forces of 2.5 + 0.8 MPa. The in vitro generated tissues integrated themselves to form an AF-cartilage interface with some characteristics that mimic native fetal and adolescent bovine interface. Col II was absent from the in vitro-formed OAF but present in the interface which contained aggrecan and calcific deposits and demonstrated alkaline phosphatase activity (ALPa). Cells at the in vitro-formed interface were surrounded by Col I, Col II, Col III, versican, biglycan and decorin. Intermittent compression load of tissue cultures improved tissue integration, matrix accumulation and altered the spatial organization of Col X and ALPa at the interface suggesting that these tissues may respond to loading when implanted in vivo. These data convey that tissue engineered disc replacements have the potential to integrate following implantation. Furthermore, this model is anticipated to be valuable to investigate conditions that will promote in vivo integration and to study AF and cartilage interactions.

Keywords: Annulus Fibrosus
Bovine
Cartilage Endplate
Interface
Intervertebral Disc
Tissue Engineering
Advisor: Kandel, Rita A
Santerre, J P
Development of In Vivo Lung Perfusion Strategy for the Treatment of Lung Metastases

In Vivo Lung Perfusion (IVLP) can potentially enhance the treatment of lung metastases by allowing the delivery of elevated doses of chemotherapy to the lungs without systemic exposure. Previously, experimental and clinical studies reported questionable efficacy and frequent lung toxicity, hindering the broad application of this technique. We have developed a modified IVLP strategy that avoids acute lung injury using a protective mode of ventilation/perfusion. Our IVLP strategy enabled an extended perfusion time using chemotherapy doses usually given intravenously to patients. Additionally, we successfully administered higher chemotherapy levels in a safe manner and found higher lung tissue levels of chemotherapeutic drugs compared to previous studies. Importantly, these findings were possible without acute lung injury, demonstrating a likely protective effect of our IVLP strategy. This is a significant step towards a safer and more effective IVLP technique to help patients with pulmonary metastases, minimizing the adverse effects of chemotherapy to the lungs.

Keywords: In Vivo Lung Perfusion
Isolated Lung Perfusion
Locoregional Therapy
Lung Metastases
Pulmonary Metastasectomy
Sarcomas
Advisor: Cypel, Marcelo
A Bibliometric Analysis of the Field of Records Management: A Case Study of Records Management Journal, 1989-2013

This study profiles the characteristics of the scholarship published in one of the central journals in the field of Records Management in order to identify salient aspects of the evolution of that field. Through a bibliometric analysis of the contents of the first twenty-five years of Records Management Journal (RMJ), the study presents a multi-dimensional view of published research and opinion articles in Records Management in the period 1989-2013. Key aspects examined are: the nature of authorship (including gender, country and institutional affiliations, and degree of collaboration); and citation practices (including commonly cited authors, commonly cited journals, and degree of cross-disciplinarity). Records Management scholarship provides a structural framework for Records Management as a discipline, which in turn influences Records Management practice. The publication patterns found in RMJ can therefore serve as a mirror of the history of the scholarship of Records Management as it was presented to practitioners in the field during the examined time period.

Keywords: Bibliometrics
Citation Preference
Collaboration
Gender
Records Management
Subject Dispersion
Advisor: Dilevko, Juris
Light Harvesting Strategies of Cryptophyte Algae

Cryptophyte algae employ a unique system of free floating phycobiliproteins that shuttle photosynthetic excitations to membrane bound chlorophyll a/c complexes which are connected to the photosystem reaction center (Larkum, 2010). Using absorption, emission and excitation spectroscopy, we attempt to determine, firstly, the manner in which the algae absorb incoming photons and then shuttle the excitation from the outlying peripheral proteins to the core complex reaction centers and secondly, how efficient this process is within the organism. The complex relationship between light harvesting efficiency and the antenna proteins was examined by performing experiments on organisms that varied in antenna structure both energetically and structurally. The adaptability to varying environmental conditions was also studied by exposing organisms to varying ambient light intensity, a factor which is known to influence photosynthetic efficiency (Falkowski Owens, 1980). Contributions of alternate dissipative pathways were determined by chemically decoupling key systems in the electron transport chain.

Keywords: Cryptophyte
Energy Transfer
NPQ
Phycobiliprotein
Advisor: Scholes, Gregory D