VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Aging Time in Dispersion on Polymer Diffusion in Films Formed From a Waterborne 2-Component Polyurethane Formulation

Waterborne polyurethane coatings are environmentally friendly alternatives to their solventborne counterparts. Waterborne 2-component polyurethane coatings comprise polyol nanoparticles and polyisocyanates (PIC) and are of great interest due to their excellent mechanical properties. I used fluorescence resonance energy transfer to study polymer diffusion in films formed from a dispersion consisting of a polyol latex containing primary hydroxyl groups (Mn(GPC) ≈ 5000 g/mol, Đ ≈ 2, Tg ≈ 15 °C) and a hydrophilically modified PIC (hmPIC) (Basonate® HW1000). My contribution was to examine the effect of aging time in the dispersion before applying the coating. I found that aging dispersions of the polyol plus hmPIC up to 9 h did not reduce hmPIC effectiveness in the coating. After 9 h of aging in the dispersion, a substantial fraction of the isocyanate groups had reacted with water, and the ability of the hmPIC to promote polymer diffusion in the films was greatly reduced.

Advisor: Winnik, Mitchell MW
“We Rise Together, Let’s Do This”: Exploring the Lived Experiences of East Asian Bisexual Youth in Canada

Over the last several decades, research by and about 2SLGBTQIA+ people and racialized people has flourished. Yet East Asian bisexual youth exist at an intersection of invisibility in literature. This study addressed the gap by qualitatively exploring the lived experiences of East Asian bisexual youth in Canada, particularly in relation to their ethnic and sexual identities. Constructivist grounded theory methods were used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom video-conferencing with 10 youth (aged 23–29) who self-identified as East Asian, bisexual, and residing in Canada. Four core themes emerged from data to capture how youths developed their identities, encountered minority stressors, coped with stressors, and celebrated uniquely positive aspects of their lived experiences. Findings underscored the vibrancy and complexity of East Asian bisexual youths’ lives, and a mid-level theory was proposed to illustrate factors that shaped their daily experiences. Limitations, clinical implications, and future directions for this study are discussed.

Keywords: Bisexual
Canada
East Asian
Grounded theory
Lived experiences
Youth
Advisor: Moodley, Roy
Identity Construction of “Postcolonial” and Diasporic Sri Lankan Women

This thesis examines how the identity construction of Sri Lankan women is affected by Whiteness and European colonization. It applies the principles of Critical Anti-Racism Theory to the analysis of eight in-depth interviews, four in the “postcolonial” context of Colombo, Sri Lanka and four in the diasporic context of Toronto, Canada. The results found that participants constructed their identities in three ways: self-perception, language and skin colour. Five factors and influences were found to inform this identity construction in relation to Whiteness and White hegemony: family, school, media/social media, and culture. This study explores the possibilities of using these framings in order to deconstruct Sri Lankan female identity through an anti-racist lens. It concludes with the examination of the implications of these factors on the identity construction of Sri Lankan women, the revaluing of Indigenous knowledges, their contestation and resistance of White hegemonic discourse, and anti-racist and anti-colonial educational practices.

Keywords: Critical Anti-racism
Identity Construction
Sri Lankan Women
Whiteness
Advisor: Dei, George
Automated Compilation Framework for RISC-V + CGRA Systems

Course-Grained Reconfigurable Architectures (CGRAs) are programmable hardware platforms with coarse-grained programmable logic blocks and word-wide configurable interconnect. In this thesis, we present a high-level compilation framework for the processor + CGRA hybrid systems, where a CGRA is used in tandem with the processor for application acceleration. The input to the framework is a C-language program. The output is a compiled executable for a RISC-V processor, and an optimized dataflow graph (DFG) kernel for acceleration on the CGRA. We utilize the powerful MLIR compiler representation to realize such optimization, mainly targeting sequential rectangular loop access patterns and leveraging the spatial parallelism of the CGRA. We take inspiration from ScaleHLS, which is a compiler exploration framework for high-level synthesis (HLS) on FPGAs. In an experimental study, we show the impact of our kernel optimizations on CGRA performance. Our automatic exploration compiler pass is able to raise kernel throughput, while increasing kernel mappbility. With our automatic generation framework, we aim to take the burden off users from manually crafting both the assembly and kernel representation to run an application on a RISC-V+CGRA hybrid system, thereby raising designer productivity and reducing cost.

Keywords: CGRA
Compiler
MLIR
RISC-V
Advisor: Anderson, Jason H
Tissue-Specific Chromosomal Fragility in a C9orf72-ALS/FTD Mouse Model

The C9orf72 (GGGGCC)n repeat expansion is the most common cause of motoneuron and behavioural diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontal temporal dementia, respectively, with co-occurring diseases like immunodeficiency. This expansion is fragile site (FS) FRA9A. FSs are hotspots of clinically relevant genomic instability. Using a mouse model containing an expanded human C9orf72 transgene, I assessed fragility in primary cell lines derived from nine tissues, including brain and peripheral tissues, like the immune-related spleen. The C9orf72 transgene was a FS in all analyzed mouse tissues. I observed tissue-specific differences in FS expression and type. Transfer of fragility from human to animal model revealed C9orf72 expansion is required for fragility. Discovery of fragility in brain-derived cells permits characterization of C9orf72 in the central nervous system. Instability of the transgene-containing chromosome was observed – indicating in vivo predisposition of genomic instability by the repeat. Tissue-specific C9orf72 fragility may be related to varied disease presentation.

Keywords: ALS
C9orf72
Fragile site
Repeat expansion
Advisor: Pearson, Christopher E
Juxtaposing Gender and Race: An Exploration of a Professional Development Exercise for Teachers to Critically Reflect on their Gender Practices

This study explored how juxtaposing gender and racial practices can assist teachers in challenging the normalization of binary gender differences. This action research was conducted during two months of Professional Development (PD) with 36 elementary school teachers at one international school in Malta. Teachers investigated the opportunities and limitations of this new strategy designed to help them reflect on, assess and ideally, change their practices that reinforce binary gender differences and stereotypes. The study found that juxtaposing gender and racial practices created a school-wide conversation about teachers' reinforcement of social differences; served as a reflective tool for teachers to critically examine their gender practices; and enabled some teachers to adopt more inclusive practices for diverse gender expressions and identities. This study proposes a new type of PD strategy for promoting gender inclusivity in teacher education and contributes to the growing body of research in this field.

Keywords: Critical Reflection
Gender
Gender inclusivity
LGBTQ+
Professional development
Teacher education
Advisor: Manion, Carly
Scully-Stewart, Coleen
Applications of Risk-Averse Control Policies on Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Drives

Permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are a family of electric motors that offers high power-density, large torque-to-inertia ratio and precise speed/position regulation. However, PMSMs have complicated nonlinear system dynamics and are subject to various sources of disturbances. In this research, we view the unpredictable disturbance sources as stochastic noises with known distribution functions. We also exploit the synchronous feature of PMSMs to linearize and discretize the mathematical model at the nominal speed. Two risk-averse stochastic control policies, linear-exponential-quadratic regulator (LEQG) and risk-constrained linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) are used to regulate the system. On the linear PMSM model, the control policies are able to reduce the cost variance at the expense of higher average cost. When applied to the nonlinear PMSM model, the control policies simultaneously lower the average cost and the variance for a certain range of risk-averse parameters. The findings provide valuable information about handling external disturbances during PMSM operation.

Keywords: Linear control
Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Risk-averse control
Stochastic control
Advisor: Chapman, Margaret P
A Novel Automatic Tele-Rehabilitation System Using Vision Technology

Tele-rehabilitation (Tele-rehab) is changing the landscape of virtual care by redefining assessment and breaking accessibility barriers as a convenient substitute for conventional rehabilitation. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid uptake of virtual care. Researchers and health professionals have started developing new tele-rehab platforms e.g., in the form of video conferencing. Albeit useful, these platforms still require the clinicians’ time and energy. To address these gaps, this thesis proposes a novel automatic tele-rehab system using vision technology. The performance of the proposed system in estimating the Range of Motion of upper extremities is compared to the Motion Capture (gold standard). The thesis also proposes two automatic tele-rehab systems that use vision technology to guide patients in executing their rehab exercises. The proposed systems can be potentially integrated into tele-rehab platforms to help patients with mobility impairments perform their rehab exercises correctly, avoid injuries, reduce pain and improve their recovery process.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence
Biofeedback
Deep Learning
Machine Learning
Telerehabilitation
Advisor: Roshan Fekr, Atena AR
Fernie, Geoff GF
Quantitative Prognostic Stromal Assessment of Colorectal Cancer using Polarized Light Microscopy

Colorectal cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in North America. In recent years, patients have observed an overall improvement in survival, however, a significant portion still experience unfavourable outcomes as consequence of high recurrence rates. An effort to mitigate this issue is by assessing the prognostic value contained within collagen surrounding the tumour, where it has been shown to correlate well with prognostic outcomes. However, its clinical uptake is withheld by its inherent subjective nature and lack of standardized approach. This thesis employs polarized light microscopy to address some of these challenges. It expands upon previously published work by introducing texture analysis and unsupervised machine learning. These additions and associated findings are presented in the form of a published study analyzing correlations between this revised polarimetric framework with known patient survival outcomes. Furthermore, this thesis contains preliminary work which was instrumental in the lead-up to the primary study along with additional analyses and discussion looking to improve upon the published findings. Overall, the work presented herein serves as a promising beginning for alternative methods of collagen assessment and for the use of more complex machine learning methods for its prognostic evaluation.

Advisor: Vitkin, Alex
There's More to Poverty Than Income: Insights on Toronto's Leisure Access Policy from Policymakers and Implementers

This study explores the Welcome Policy (WP) in Toronto, Canada. The WP is a leisure access policy that provides a subsidy for low-income families to participate in registered programs at city-operated recreation centres. The purpose of this study is to explore policymakers’ and Parks and Recreation Department managers’ assumptions about how the municipal government ameliorates and/or reproduces socioeconomic barriers to recreational activities. The study involves a critical analysis of approximately 240 documents, including public reports, municipal council meeting minutes, budgets, and plans. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who have experience working on the WP. The findings support the WP’s role in municipal recreation provision, yet also recommend systematic theory-based evaluations to contribute to Toronto’s implementation of targeted policies and proportionate universalism. Through the lens of public sociology, this thesis presents practical recommendations for policymakers to work with sociologists to improve access to sport for all.

Keywords: Fee Assistance program
leisure access policy
targeted policy
theory based evaluation
universalism
welcome policy
Advisor: Donnelly, Peter
Encouraging Pro-Environmental Behaviour Through Product Design: Two Thermostat Interface Designs to Motivate Energy-Efficient Use

The increase in energy demand for air-conditioning motivates the development of interventions targeted at encouraging energy-efficient temperature setting. In part 1, a range-based thermostat system was proposed to extend the indoor temperature range to promote energy conservation. An online study based on user perceptions led to higher acceptance (~62% overall) over a set-point thermostat. In part 2, four intervention interfaces were tested in-person using psychology-informed engineering design principles. These fan-based interventions manipulated two effects: fan feel (feel fan versus don’t feel fan) and fan visibility (high visibility versus low visibility) during user interaction. The first study determined a significant effect of fan feel and a marginal effect of fan visibility. The second study replicated the significant effect of fan feel. Both studies found that participants engaged in energy-efficient temperature setting when interacting with some of the intervention interfaces (e.g., participants set temperatures 2.39°C higher in the high visibility + feel fan condition as compared to baseline). The findings from these studies inform the design of thermostat interfaces to encourage energy-efficient temperature setting at the household-level.

Keywords: Energy-efficiency
Pro-environmental behavior
Product design
Resource conservation
Sustainability
Thermostat design
Advisor: Shu, Li H
Water Management in Swimming Pools Using Real-Time Occupancy and Activity Data

Disinfectants kill microbes in swimming pools but react with organic and non-organic matter released from swimmers, generating disinfection by-products (DBPs) with cytotoxic and genotoxic characteristics. Conventional water management guidelines involve adding a fixed amount of freshwater per swimmer per day regardless of their presence time and activity level, resulting in either freshwater overuse or degraded water quality. In this thesis, occupancy and activity data are used in a novel framework that provides a more meaningful measure of the required makeup freshwater. Occupancy and activity levels are used to model chemical reactions, which are then used to calculate the required amount of makeup freshwater for a healthy water quality. The proposed method leads to higher water quality during peak usage and lower water consumption during off-peak months. For a typical simulated pool, this approach reduced the yearly freshwater consumption by 13% while decreasing the maximum DBP levels by 18%.

Keywords: Occupancy Monitoring
Swimming Pool
Water Quality Management
Water Use Management
Advisor: Azhari, Fae
The Effect of Orientation and Distribution on the Material and Structural Behaviour of Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

This work continues research at the University of Toronto into a simple precast ribbed deck slab system using ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) for highway bridge overpasses. Two identical ribbed slab specimens are tested in the range of their serviceability and ultimate limit states and are tested to failure. These tests demonstrate that the proposed system is capable of supporting the required concentrated loads according to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. Fibre properties including the distribution of fibres and their orientation are then examined in an effort to explain the behaviour of UHPFRC at the material and structural levels. In doing so, clear trends are identified between the fibre properties and the flexural tensile strength of UHPFRC. A general predictive equation for the tensile strength of UHPFRC is summarized and is then applied specifically for the current UHPFRC mix under study. Concrete and fibre properties as determined throughout the specimens are then related to the behaviour of the ribbed slab specimens.

Keywords: Bridges
Fibre distribution
Fibre orientation
Machine learning
Ribbed slab
UHPFRC
Advisor: Gauvreau, Douglas Paul
Investigating Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase in Comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression: Preliminary Results from a Positron Emission Tomography Study with the Radiotracer [11C]CURB

Background: Previous research suggests that the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) protein is elevated in borderline personality disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD); however, no study has directly examined FAAH in individuals with both conditions. We hypothesized that [11C]CURB binding would be elevated in the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus of comorbid BPD+MDD compared to healthy controls, and that brain FAAH would be positively correlated with symptom severity.Methods: Participants with comorbid BPD+MDD (n=10) and healthy controls (n=10) underwent a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with the radiotracer [11C]CURB to assess brain FAAH. Additional measures were administered to assess symptom severity. Results: There were no significant differences in levels of brain FAAH between the BPD+MDD group and controls. [11C]CURB binding did not correlate with symptom severity. Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that FAAH is not significantly elevated in comorbid BPD+MDD, but a larger sample size is required to elucidate this relationship.

Keywords: Borderline Personality Disorder
Endocannabinoid
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase
Major Depressive Disorder
Positron Emission Tomography
Advisor: Kolla, Nathan J
Structural Studies of Histone H3K36 Methyltransferase NSD1 and CRL2 Substrate Receptors FEM1B/C

NSD1 is a histone methyltransferase that adds one or two methyl groups to H3K36. Mutations of NSD1 result in Soto’s Syndrome, a neurological disease. FEM1B and FEM1C, substrate receptors of ubiquitin ligase CRL2, specifically recognize proteins with an arginine residue at their C-termini. Dysfunction leads to diseases like Alzheimer’s or ALS. To better understand the disease implications of these proteins, this thesis aims to determine the protein structures of the NSD1 variants (Y1869C/T1927A) and FEM1B/FEM1C in complex with their inhibitors, H3K36M or EN106, respectively. Two crystal structures, NSD1(Y1869C) (PDB 8FBG) and NSD1(T1927A) (PDB 8FBH), have been obtained, which contain the cofactor SAM but not H3K36M. The FEM1B(aa 1-356) and FEM1C(aa 1-244) structures have also been reproduced, but lack the presence of EN106. In the future, the wild-type or mutated nucleosome will be used as substrates in the NSD1 co-crystallization, and more potent FEM1B/C inhibitors would be identified to facilitate co-crystallization.

Advisor: Min, Jinrong
Optimal and Greedy Algorithms for Clustering with Applications to Data Science

Clustering is a fundamental task in unsupervised learning and is popularly used in numerous scientific fields for exploratory data analysis and data science to discover latent discrete class structures. However, despite its maturity as a field, there remain several unanswered research questions and avenues for exploration such as (1) the absence of scalable and optimal algorithms for widely used methods like k-center clustering, and (2) the relatively unexplored space of models for clustering w.r.t. supervised learning objectives. To this end, this thesis addresses some of these open questions by (1) presenting a novel highly scalable algorithm that leverages constraint generation and mixed integer linear programming to efficiently and provably converge to global optimum for the generalized k-center objective, and (2) proposing a generalized optimization framework for predictive (supervised) clustering that admits different cluster definitions (arbitrary point assignment, closest center, bounding box) for both regression and classification objectives. These models help uncover different interpretable discrete cluster structures in data. Overall, this thesis makes advances in two critical areas of clustering that have the potential to provide strong guarantees for optimal clustering and provide a design space and toolkit of supervised clustering models for data science practitioners.

Keywords: Clustering
Data Science
Optimization
Advisor: Sanner, Scott Dr
The Negotiation of Personal Names: An Exploration of Educators’ Usage and Pronunciation of Student Names in K-12 and Higher Education

The following study provides a critical examination of how educators in Ontario navigate the political and social aspects of personal names in education, how they use student names, as well as how they (struggle to) pronounce student names. Seeking strategies to prevent offending students, this study involved ten personal interviews with educators, and examines educators’ practices and experiences related to personal names. It further involves scholarship, educational policies’ texts, personal observations, and documents pertaining to K-12 student-teacher relations, shining light on the impact of acculturation through the un-naming, misnaming, and re-naming of students, and how these practices contradict Canadian policies of multiculturalism and Ontario school boards’ human rights and social justice education policies. Based on these conclusions, this study proposes the implementation of a technological tool, NameCoach, to support educators with accurate name pronunciations whilst maintaining the importance of developing positive relationships and community building in various educational spaces.

Keywords: Identity
K-12 Education
Multiculturalism Policy
Name (Mis)pronunciations
NameCoach
Social Justice Education Policy
Advisor: Todorova, Miglena
Gene Expression Studies of the Long-Noncoding RNA PTCHD1-AS in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous condition diagnosed based on individuals having deficits in social communication, and restricted repetitive behaviors, which bring them to medical attention. A recently identified gene encoding a long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA), PTCHD1-AS (Xp22.11), may serve as a novel entry point into understanding the etiology of ASD. I propose that deletions in lncRNA PTCHD1-AS that lead to ASD cause a change in the expression of genes necessary for synaptic function. In this thesis, I describe the use of gene expression assays in Ptchd1-as knockdown mice, and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) in cell culture, to identify the molecular function(s) of PTCHD1-AS. I demonstrate that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor expression likely does not underlie their hypofunction in deletion models, and provide evidence to suggest the involvement of PTCHD1-AS in cortical interneuron development. Understanding how PTCHD1-AS regulates gene expression could establish it as target for therapeutic ASD intervention.

Keywords: ASD
Autism
CRISPRi
Genetics
Mouse models
Advisor: Scherer, Stephen W