VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Effect of Magnetic Resonance Image Guided Focused Ultrasound Generated Hyperthermia in Combination with Thermosensitive and Non-Thermosensitive Doxorubicin on Tumor Growth and the Immune Microenvironment of Rhabdomyosarcoma in an Immunocompetent Murine Model

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common pediatric tumor. Treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation, but response in the aggressive form of the disease remains poor. Novel treatments are needed. In cases of relapsed RMS, chemotherapies include doxorubicin which is cardiotoxic. An alternate form of doxorubicin is encapsulated in a thermosensitive liposome (TLD). Magnetic resonance image guided focused ultrasound (MRIgFUS) is an emerging therapy that combines MRI with ultrasound-generated hyperthermia (HT) and has uses including drug release and/or immune stimulation. We optimized MRIgFUS with TLD for RMS in an immunocompetent mouse model and profiled the tumor immune microenvironment. Longer HT duration increased tumor accumulation of TLD. Furthermore, TLD + HT treated mice survived significantly longer than other treatment groups. The immune profile showed presence of B-cells, T-lymphocytes, and macrophages in treated and untreated specimens. Therefore, knowledge from this preclinical project will serve as the basis for translation into pediatric oncology clinical trials.

Keywords: Immunocompetent murine models
Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Thermosensitive doxorubicin
Tumor immune microenvironment
Advisor: Gladdy, Rebecca A
Strategic Planning of an Inter-connected Crowd Logistics Network

There is a growing market for crowd-shipping, which hires people to transport packages on their regular commutes, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This thesis considers a hybrid crowd-shipping operation that hires crowd-shippers and regular drivers in a physical internet environment. The spatial distribution of potential crowd-shippers is analyzed by leveraging a behaviour model and data that combines 2016 Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS) data and census data. An inter-connected crowd logistics network is designed to serve business-to-consumer (B2C) logistics demand through solving a parcel locker location routing problem (PLLRP) that optimizes the placement of parcel lockers and the movements of parcels. Finally, the service levels of the proposed network are estimated. The numerical results reveal that an inter-connected crowd logistics network can provide more stable and cost-effective services when the demand level is higher. The hiring of regular drivers is necessary to service some regions with low crowd-shipper supply.

Advisor: Roorda, Matthew
Towards a Critical Edition of Baptista Massa’s "De Fructibus Vescendis"

This thesis seeks to provide a provisional edition of Baptista Massa's "De Fructibus Vescendis," a fifteenth-century treatise on the medicinal qualities of fruits. Included is a description of the manuscripts and textual tradition, as well as discussion on some distinctive features of the text, the identity of its author, and the context in Ferrara in which it was written. It is accompanied by a translation of the preface dedicating the text to Duce Ercole d'Este.

Keywords: Baptista Massa
classical reception
Ercole d'Este
history of medicine
Latin
manuscripts
Advisor: Welsh, Jarrett
Evaluating Visual Evoked Cortical Magnetic Responses In Youth With Demyelination

Subclinical visual pathway injury caused by optic neuritis (ON) is common in youth with acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS), but visual function assessments are limited in their precision. This cross-sectional study evaluated binocular evoked responses in visual hemifields (nasal/temporal) using magnetoencephalography (MEG) from youth with ADS (n=22, MS=11 and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein antibody-related disorders (MOG)=11) and 21 healthy children (HC). The width of visual evoked potential (VEP) waveform was greater in patients (0.150) than HC (0.118, p

Keywords: Demyelination
Evoked Responses
Magnetoencephalography
Multiple Sclerosis
Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
Visual Evoked Field
Advisor: Yeh, Ann
A Survey of Pediatric Dentists in the United States Regarding Prevalence of Adverse Events in Clinical Practice

Purpose: To examine the prevalence of adverse events during dental care for children in the United States and investigate trends in risk factors that lead to their occurrence. Methods: A self-administered online anonymous survey was sent to all active members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry using REDCap software to collect information regarding their experience with pediatric dental adverse events. Results: Seven hundred and four pediatric dentists completed the survey equating to a response rate of 11.1%. The most prevalent adverse events were self-inflicted trauma to anesthetized soft tissues and nausea and/or vomiting. In addition, 14% of survey respondents reported a major adverse event while 94.2% reported at least one dental adverse event within the past five years. Conclusions: The majority of survey respondents reported at least one minor adverse event within the past five years while a small but significant number reported a major adverse event.

Keywords: Dental care for Children
Patient Safety
Pediatric Dentistry
Advisor: Nainar, Hashim
Curating the Self: Exploring Camp’s Influence on the Illness Identity of Children and Youth Living with Cancer

Introduction: Camps have been shown to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of children and youth with cancer. Research has not explored how camp influences conceptions of identity among this population. Objectives: To explore how children and youth with cancer define their illness identity, and how camp influences illness identity. Methods: This study adopted an arts-based narrative methodology, and was theoretically informed by Arthur Frank’s Illness Narratives. A portrait activity and qualitative interviews were employed. Analysis proceeded using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: 12 children participated in this study. Illness identity was defined as fluid and contextual, and as a process of discovery. Illness identity was also selectively disclosed, and nonexistent for some. Camp resulted in increased generativity, confidence, and normalcy. Implications: This study expands upon Frank’s illness typologies to account for nuance in illness identity. Methodological implications for the use of arts-informed online methods are underscored.

Keywords: Arts-based research
Cancer
Children
Identity
Recreation
Rehabilitation Science
Advisor: Moola, Fiona J
Optimization of Whole Mitochondrial Genome Analysis of Trophectoderm Biopsy and Application of Optimized Pipeline to Study Heteroplasmy Dynamics and Variation in Human Embryos

mtDNA variation in embryos and their effect on early embryo development remains poorly understood. Whole genome amplification (WGA) of trophectoderm (TE) biopsy(4-6-cells) is used in preimplantation embryo testing, allowing for downstream analysis. I optimized mtDNA heteroplasmy detection in WGA TE biopsies and applied this pipeline to a cohort of six mother-embryo-product-of-conception cases. Inherent technical bias in coverage and base amplification accuracy of two WGA-systems was evaluated in a set of controlled experiments. RepliG-WGA resulted in uniform amplification of mt-genome, in contrast to uneven amplification by SurePlex. A heteroplasmy detection threshold of >5% was established to minimize false positive SNVs. Using this pipeline for mt-DNA analysis of clinical samples, I identified a high frequency of heteroplasmic variants (2.65±2.7) segregating from mother to embryos and corresponding miscarried fetal samples. Findings highlight the need for optimized heteroplasmy detection in WGA embryonic samples and provide a preliminary insight into mtDNA variation related to IVF outcomes.

Keywords: IVF outcomes
Mitochondrial DNA
Reproductive Genetics
Whole Genome Amplification
Advisor: Librach, Clifford
Understanding the Evolving Landscape of Traditional Medicine in Ghana

Irrespective of the dominance of western medicine (WM) in health delivery systems across the world, millions of people in several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Ghana continue to rely on traditional medicine (TM) for treating illness. Understanding the use of TM in Ghana is a complex topic due to the various intertwining factors such as cost, availability, access, socioeconomic status, and sociocultural factors which influence the use of TM. Herein, the objective of this thesis were twofold: (1) to further the understanding of factors that drive the use of TM among elderly individuals in Ghana, and (2) to investigate whether a shift in prevalence of TM use exists. Using Rosenstock’s Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework, and seventeen in-depth interviews, this thesis examined the perceptions and motivations surrounding the use of TM among elderly residents located in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Thematic analysis of the interviews indicate that the use of TM is still pervasive despite the increasing availability of WM. The findings suggest that factors including availability of TM as a sociocultural commodity, health perceptions and health seeking behaviours, and other modifying factors are all influential factors driving the continued use of TM. Contrary to previous literature, the dependency on TM as the sole form of medication may no longer be prominent, rather an increase in WM use may be inevitable.

Keywords: Africa
Health care access
Healthcare
Modern Medicine
Traditional Medicine
Western Medicine
Advisor: Kuuire, Vincent
Early Immune Changes in C57BL/6 Mice Upon Treatment with Nevirapine

Idiosyncratic drug reactions (IDRs) do not occur in most patients but can be life-threatening and only detected after the drug has been marketed. Most IDRs are mediated by an adaptive immune response. The hypothesis is that there must exist a clinically silent innate immune response to IDR-causing drugs; IDRs occur when this innate immune response induces an adaptive immune response. The drug studied was nevirapine (NVP), which can cause skin rashes and liver failure. C57BL/6 mice were administered NVP at 600 mg/kg/day. Spleen weights initially decreased but returned to normal by day 5. Spleen Ly6C staining displayed an influx of Ly6C+ cells. Spleen flow cytometry analysis showed increased Ly6Chi cells (p

Keywords: Adverse Drug Reactions
Drug Safety
Early immune changes
Idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury
Idiosyncratic drug reactions
Spleen size decrease
Advisor: Uetrecht, Jack
Enabling Conversation Without Speech: Towards an Electroencephalography Brain-computer Interface to Detect the Intention to Respond

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are proposed as an alternative means of access to communication for individuals who are non-verbal and have severe motor impairments. However, BCI communication rates are slow relative to the fast turn-taking of spoken conversation. Participation in conversation depends on the conversational partner to take extended pauses to provide the BCI user time to respond. This thesis proposes a BCI to indicate the intention to respond through single-trial classification of a response planning event-related potential (ERP). Ten typically developing adolescents (mean age: 15.1 years) were presented with trivia questions and instructed to listen to or answer each question. The response planning ERP, previously identified in adults, was replicated. Above-chance accuracy was obtained exclusively in the answer condition for discrimination of electroencephalography responses measured at the expected onset of response planning versus before response planning. This study is a first step towards improving conversational interactions involving BCIs.

Advisor: Chau, Tom
Sialography in Conjunction with Cone Beam Computed Tomography for Imaging the Salivary Glands: Optimizing an Imaging Protocol

The objective of this study is to optimize cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) acquisition parameters for CBCT sialography using newer CBCT technology utilizing smaller and more localized fields-of-view to reduce patient dose while producing higher diagnostic quality images. We calculated effective dose (E), signal difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR), and figure-of-merit (FOM) values for the Morita Veraview X800 system for a range of kVp and mA combinations, and 2 field-of-view (FOV) sizes for submandibular and parotid gland imaging. We recommend 85 kVp and 6 mA with an 8 cm x 5 cm FOV for submandibular imaging and 70 kVp and 6 mA with an 8 cm x 8 cm FOV for parotid imaging. These parameters result in 44% and 33% reductions in E for submandibular and parotid sialography, respectively, and increases of 54% and 94% in SDNR for submandibular and parotid sialography, respectively, compared to current protocols.

Keywords: CBCT
Morita
Sialography
Advisor: Lam, Ernest WN
An Exploration of Modelling for Sparse Data and Explanation in Deep Learning

Deep learning (DL) models have achieved superior performance in various application domains. However, there are two main issues of DL models. Firstly, these complex models often tend to overfit, especially with sparse observations. Secondly, DL models are hard to interpret and debug. Therefore, in this thesis, we explore solutions for both drawbacks. For the generalizability with sparse data issue, we propose a novel DL architecture for spatiotemporal event predictions with sparse observations that achieves better performance than the state-of-the-art models. The model’s architecture is designed to capture the categorical, temporal, and spatial patterns and achieve better generalization. For the interpretability issue, we explore sample-based explanations, where explanations are generated by estimating training data influence. We demonstrate that our proposed methods can assist with understanding DL models by producing meaningful explanations and facilitate data debugging. In summary, this thesis aims to investigate solutions for two critical problems in DL application.

Keywords: Deep Learning
Explainability
Machine Learning
Spatiotemporal
Advisor: Sanner, Scott
Asynchronous Voluntary Self-regulated Near-infrared Spectroscopy Brain-computer Interface for Children with Complex Communication Needs

A brain-computer interface (BCI) access pathway to augmentative and alternative communication could maximize interaction and control for individuals with severe motor impairments and complex communication needs (CCN). However, BCI challenges persist including their high mental workload and unintuitive control. This thesis explored an asynchronous voluntary self-regulation BCI using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in an adolescent population with complex communication needs and limited mobility. Four participants (12–18 years old) weaned off a mental task to achieve self-regulation and BCI performance was evaluated both offline using cross-validation and online using model predictions. Offline cross-validation classification accuracies averaged 85.3 ± 7.17%, and one participant in the first online session was able to surpass the 70% accuracy threshold for effective BCI use (73.3%). These findings suggest that voluntary self-regulation can be achieved in youth with CCN and encourages further research on fNIRS BCI with this clinical population.

Keywords: Asynchronous control
Brain-computer interface
Children with disabilities
Complex communication needs
Functional near infrared spectroscopy
Self-regulation
Advisor: Chau, Tom
Effect of Pyridinium on Halide Elimination Pathway Observed by Using Bromomethyl-Mandelylthiamin

Mandelylthiamin diphosphate is the conjugate of benzoylformate and thiamin that forms on benzoylformate decarboxylase (BFDC). BFDC facilitates a decarboxylation reaction that leads to the formation of a Breslow intermediate. Mandelylthiamin is an accurate model of nonenzymic reactivity and its use in solutions further elucidates enzyme mechanism. When its halide analogues were tested in different buffer solutions, three possible pathways were examined, (1) halide elimination, (2) protonation and (3) fragmentation. I planned to use p-bromomethyl-mandelylthiamin in pyridinium buffer to test whether halide elimination would occur. Due to time constraints, the outcome remains to be determined.

Advisor: Kluger, Ronald
Effect of Black Liquor Burning on the Settling and Filtering Behaviour of Green Liquor Dregs

In kraft pulp mills, the burning of black liquor in recovery boilers results in unburned carbon, or char particles, that along with other types of particles form the suspended solids in green liquor called dregs. Poor dregs settling and filterability are a persistent problem at many mills that can result in substantial production losses. A systematic study was conducted to investigate the effect of black liquor burning conditions on the settling and filtering behaviour of dregs using a combination of experimental work and multivariate data analysis (MVDA), with a focus on the char component of dregs. The experimental results show that char is easier to settle and filter when i) black liquor is burned at higher temperatures or for longer amounts of time, ii) char concentration is low, and iii) lime mud is added to char. The results also imply that larger char particles tend to settle faster. MVDA was carried out on operating data from three kraft pulp mills to examine the correlations between recovery boiler operation and the dregs behaviour observed at each mill. The results suggest that low firing load to the recovery boiler, a low extent of char burning, and an unstable or cold char bed could lead to larger amounts of char (dregs) in green liquor.

Advisor: Tran, Honghi
Jones, Andrew K.
R2Play and Stakeholder Needs: Fostering User-driven Technology to Support Return-to-play Decision-making

Background: Following concussion, return-to-play protocols rely on a battery of single-domain assessments to assess recovery. Yet, single-domain assessments may fail to detect symptoms elicited by the cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional multi-domain demands when an athlete returns to sport.Objective: To bridge this gap by developing the R2Play system, which facilitates the implementation of a multi-domain return-to-play assessment for young athletes. Method: To address this aim, I have: (1) conducted a scoping review of multi-domain assessments; (2) conducted needs-assessment interviews with stakeholders; (3) collaborated with our research team to build a testable prototype; and (4) carried out proof-of-concept testing for R2Play. Results: The current thesis details the development and initial testing of the R2Play system, providing proof-of-concept and outlining next steps based on user feedback. Conclusions: This thesis contributes a prototype of the R2Play system, and highlights the potential of technology in clinical assessment and the benefits of user-centered design.

Keywords: Assessment
Concussion
Pediatrics
Return-to-Play
Advisor: Biddiss, Elaine
Scratch, Shannon
On Delphine LaLaurie: The Mythologizing of a Murderer

Until the spring of 1834, the name of LaLaurie was known only by a select few.A week after a fire decimated Delphine LaLaurie’s New Orleans mansion, the Vicksburg Daily Whig reported that multiple enslaved people had been discovered in the house. Subsequent articles stressed that the victims had not been fed properly or that LaLaurie had used her husband’s surgical tools on the enslaved people. Despite a dearth of concrete historical proof, the LaLaurie tale’s most chilling details endure as facts, finding new life with every retelling, perpetuating an ingrained normalization of racist, classist, and misogynistic infrastructures within the performance of historical horror. Thomas (2018), Wiltenburg (2004), and Fiddler (2019) have published sensationalist storytelling methods and hauntology studies that corroborate the frequent use of this approach. The damages of ghost stories hail not from historical events but from the very way the story is told.

Keywords: Delphine LaLaurie
Hauntology
Mythology Folklore
Podcasting
Spectator Response
Advisor: Cesare Schotzko, T. Nikki
The Spatial Characteristics of Reactive Stepping Among People Living with Chronic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

People with incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI) are more likely to require multiple reactive steps to maintain balance after a simulated forward fall when compared with able-bodied (AB) individuals. To better understand these behavioural differences, we aimed to compare the length and width of the first reactive step between people with chronic motor iSCI and AB individuals. Participants attended testing sessions where the spatial characteristics of a reactive step initiated using the Lean-and-Release test were examined. The magnitude of step length and width did not differ between groups, but participants with iSCI demonstrated significantly greater variability in the length and width of their first reactive step. Additionally, we assessed the spatial measurement properties of the Lean-and-Release test and found it was a reliable and valid measure of mean step length for people with iSCI. Altogether, the findings suggest targets for reactive balance assessment and training for people living with iSCI.

Keywords: Balance
Neurorehabilitation
Postural Control
Reactive
Spinal Cord Injury
Stepping
Advisor: Musselman, Kristin
The Effect of Time to Treatment with Antiarrhythmic Drugs on Outcomes in Shock Refractory Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Secondary Analysis of the Amiodarone, Lidocaine, Placebo Study (ALPS) Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: In patients with shock refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), antiarrhythmic drugs are used to improve the defibrillation success and/or prevent re-fibrillation. Currently, the relationship between time to treatment in patients with OHCA and survival outcomes, and the interaction of time to treatment and antiarrhythmic drug effect, is not precisely known. Method: We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Amiodarone, Lidocaine, Placebo (ROC ALPS) randomized controlled trial examining the association of time to treatment (drug or placebo) with survival outcomes. Results: In our study, the probability of survival at hospital discharge decreased with a longer interval from a 911 call to receipt of amiodarone, lidocaine, or placebo. Only amiodarone improved survival over placebo at all time points; the effect of lidocaine, but not amiodarone, on increasing the probability of survival at hospital discharge varied based on the interval from 911 call to receipt of the drug.

Keywords: Amiodarone
Antiarrhythmics
Arrhythmias
Lidocaine
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Ventricular Fibrillation
Advisor: Lin, Steve SL
Dorian, Paul PD
Playing with Lesson Planning: A Design-based Approach to Assess How Gamification Affects the Flow Experience of Educators as Learners

Using a design-based research (DBR) method approach, this study explored whether gamification mechanics enhanced the flow experience of educators in a co-designed lesson planning process. A directed approach to data analysis was used to code two personal interviews for each participant and four group meetings according to the nine categories of flow. For each participant, their lesson planning experience was presented with (1) a descriptive account, outlining their context and attitudes towards lesson planning, and (2) a contextualized storyline, describing the flow characteristics they experienced throughout the study. The findings showed that this non-linear and gamified lesson-planning approach promoted four characteristics of flow in educators: (1) concentration, (2) clear goals, (3) challenge-skill, and (4) autotelic experience. While the gamified lesson planning approach demonstrates promise in multiple educational contexts, such as professional development and pre-service training, further research on the effectiveness of this approach in other educational settings is warranted.

Keywords: Design-based Research
Gamification
Lesson Planning
Professional Development
Advisor: Burke, Carol-Ann