VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
High-frequency ultrasound assessment of cardiac graft rejection in heterotopically transplanted mice

We explored the utility of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) as an improved approach over the common method of finger palpation for assessing graft rejection in murine heterotopic cardiac grafts in vivo. Syngeneic (C3H->C3H, n=9) and allogeneic (BALB/c->C3H, n=13) grafts were imaged daily using a 30 MHz transducer for 14 days post-transplant or until rejection (median survival time=12 days), respectively. Mean palpation score for allografts significantly differed from isografts on day 7 post-transplant, whereas UBM detected significantly increased left ventricular (LV) wall thicknesses from day 2 onwards and LV dilation from day 10 post-transplant in allografts (P le;0.001), but not isografts, which is likely due to myocardial edema and immune-mediated rejection. Novel Doppler waveforms of aortic and coronary flow revealed changes associated with LV dilation and diminishing systolic function in rejecting allografts. UBM-derived measurements of LV wall thicknesses provide a non-invasive method for detecting differences between isografts and allografts earlier than finger palpation.
Fer kinase is a ovel regulator of inflammatory signaling pathways

The inflammatory response is a fundamental host response to infection or injury. Intensive research examining the mechanism of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) has shown a delicate balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses is critical for the resolution of inflammation, and an overexuberant host inflammatory response may lead to the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and end organ damage.

Keywords: Molecular biology
Medicine
Immunology
Local versus regional factors: what controls the recovery of zooplankton species diversity from cultural acidification?

The role of local and regional processes in zooplankton recovery from acidification was studied using field enclosure and emergence trap experiments. Results indicate that dispersal and interactions with the local abiotic and biotic environment limit the establishment of some colonizing species, with the effect being species specific. Daphnia sp. and Ceriodaphnia lacustris abundances were decreased at low pH, Skistodiaptomus oregonensis and Diacyclops bicuspidatus thomasi had a negative interaction with the resident community, and Mesocyclops edax was unaffected by any treatment. Species may be dispersal limited by external sources, but internal colonization from resting stages may be possible for some. Evidence suggests that Swan Lake has a viable diapausing egg bank that may provide a source of colonists. Environmental conditions appear to be vital for hatching. Biological recovery of Swan Lake may be possible with further improvements in water chemistry and the return of past species to surface sediment layers.
Reading the pictorial world of the child: emerging literacies in child art

This thesis is an exploration of the emerging literacies in child art. The study was situated in my Grade 1/2 classroom in the inner city. The potential of reshaping current educational usages and practices of literacy through reading the pictorial representations of children was supported by the literature on literacy, multiple literacies, the arts, and art education. The hermeneutic phenomenological methods of Max van Manen (2001) provided the pedagogical and educational basis for this emergent research. Themes emerged through the use of classroom observations, artifacts, and the reflections of the researcher from journals and field notes. Experiencing the children's artwork shaped the manifestation of seven multiple literacies: spiritual, visual, poetic, aesthetic, gender, print, and story. Though drawing and writing research (Dyson, 1990, 1993; Barrs, 1986, 1988; Vygotsky, 1978, 1987) has examined the relationship between the symbolic forms of print and images, such interconnections focus frequently on the importance of language as an oral construct and as text. The thirty-six pieces of artwork used in this study were the prime focus. Interpretations implied that the images created by children could stand on their own as graphic forms of thought, giving depth to meaning-making and literacy acquisition. This research takes a different form from current multiple literacy research. Teachers are provided the text to read the world of the children through pictorial representations. Multiple ways of knowing and honouring the sociocultural identities of the students shapes the potential to transform learning. The multiple literacies uncovered through experiencing the images children create offer new dimensions in understanding and reshaping literacy development. This doctoral journey illuminated my understanding of the inner city children I teach. It allowed me to draw on my past knowledge, experience present understandings, and open the door to future possibilities. Crystallizing the significance of meaning-making, not only in the lives of the children we teach, but in our own inner landscapes, creates the prospect of energizing new beginnings in our quest for knowledge.

Keywords: Drawing ability in children
Art, Study and teaching (Primary)
Drawing, Study and teaching (Primary)
Drawing, Psychology of
Creative thinking in children
Some aspects of segmented regression analysis relevant to temporal localisation in transient neuroelectric signals

Electric potential signals in the brain, measured with electrodes at the scalp over an interval of time, are useful for investigating neural function. We examine a data set which is composed of electrical potential measurements recorded near motor cortical areas while subjects performed a modified Stroop reaction time test. In this thesis we focused on two signal components which are useful in determining the time course of cognitive processes involved in performing this task. An increase in electrical activity around contralateral motor cortex is expected in the time interval between stimulus presentation and manual response. This lateralized readiness potential (LRP) has been described as an early marker for motor response preparation. In the frequency domain, natural oscillations of the electric potential are observed in the same cortical areas. Increased amplitude of low beta range (15-35 Hz) oscillation has been associated with inhibition in motor cortical areas. Beta oscillation amplitude changes over time were evaluated using windowed Fourier transform. An expression was derived for the amplitude response of a windowed Fourier transform for sinusoidal signals with abrupt amplitude change. A simulation was run to discover the amplitude response through an averaging operation on single trials exhibiting latency jitter . Over an interval around stimulus presentation, increased amplitude in beta frequency oscillation was found which attenuated approximately 150 ms after LRP deflection. Onset of LRP deflection and offset of beta band attenuation can each be identified at the point of intersection of two straight lines using segmented regression. Minimisation of the empirical profile sum of squares was used to estimate the location of these two join points for each subject. Variance of the join point was partitioned into between-subject and within-subject variability. For the purpose of estimating within-subject variability of the join point estimate, an expression was derived using Fisher information. Factors influencing accuracy of the estimate of join point location are described. In order to obtain empirical variance estimates, a method for smoothing the empirical profile sum of squares function using an incremental quadratic function is described.
Co-operation and competition in the regulation of international equity markets: toward local and global welfare

International equity markets are increasingly but not perfectly integrated. Securities law, notably rules pertaining to the timely disclosure of information and the reduction of information asymmetry between firms and their shareholders, diverge across countries. It is believed this diversity of regulatory regimes is a cause of segmentation across equity markets. It remains to be seen how market participants are able to assess the value of different regulatory regimes in terms of risk and returns. Nevertheless, harmonisation of national regulatory regimes through active international co-operation is the main approach to curb this regulatory diversity and lead to market integration. On the other hand, some authors suggest regulatory competition between markets will eventually lead to a de facto harmonisation of law. This dissertation addresses the soundness regulatory co-operation and examines the perspective of convergence of regulatory regimes and financial systems as a result of the increasing integration of financial markets.

Keywords: Stock exchanges, Law and legislation
Securities
Psychological harassment among Ontario secondary school teachers

This qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews and an interview guide, examines the perceptions of six Ontario secondary school teachers who have experienced workplace psychological harassment, and identifies the characteristics and effects of this problem, the coping mechanisms employed, and victims' awareness and effectiveness of related policies and procedures. Using convenience sampling, volunteer participants consisted of Ontario secondary school teachers who had experienced psychological harassment by a superior and/or colleague within the past two years. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to the research questions' key variables. The results indicate psychological harassment is predatory and dispute-related, escalatory, and can include a single incident; affects victims psychologically, physiologically, and behaviourally; affects school operations, student development, and absenteeism; that third party intervention and exit are the most effective coping mechanisms to stop harassment, that victims are largely unaware of related policies and procedures, and that these are largely ineffective.

Keywords: Bullying in the workplace
High school teachers, Psychology
School principals
Teachers, Job stress
Psychological abuse
Harassment
Work, Psychological aspects
Dynamic analysis and simulation of vehicles carrying liquids

This thesis presents two dynamic models of vehicles carrying liquids, namely single tractor and tractor-semitrailer. Vehicles carrying fluids feature two subsystems: a vehicle body system and a fluid system. These two subsystems are coupled and to simplify the complicated solution, the subsystems are solved separately using two different codes. These two codes are coupled such that the output of the former is used as the input to the latter. Different braking moments are applied to the models and it is shown that vehicles carrying fluids need a significantly greater amount of braking moment in comparison to vehicles carrying solids to come to a complete standstill. Also, it is determined that as the level of fluid inside the tanker increases (33% to 66% full), the sloshing forces to the tanker's walls increase and therefore tankers should be specially designed to address the specific characteristics and volume of fluid inside the tanker.
HVS-based shape adaptive wavelet colour image coding

This thesis is concerned with a shape adaptive wavelet image coding scheme based on Human Visual System (HVS) model to code arbitrarily shaped objects or regions in still colour images or video sequences. The main difference between the proposed scheme and JPEG 2000 is that the former codes the given image through object by object while the later through tiling. A wavelet transform for directly coding the arbitrarily shape objects is implemented. A contrast sensitivity-based embedded zerotree wavelet (CS-EZW) is developed. Through experimental testing, compared with the other coders, including JPEG, shape adaptive DWT, this proposed coding system gives better results in terms of visual quality of reconstructed images. The performance of this system is evaluated by using three evaluation criteria, including peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), viewing by subjects and Frequency Shell Correlation (FSC).
A framework for user-based design in upper extremity prostheses: Consumer profiling and evaluation of electroactive polymers as prosthetic actuators and sensors

Upper extremity prostheses are designed to meet a spectrum of user needs in the areas of function and cosmesis. Nevertheless, high rates of prosthesis abandonment suggest that we do not sufficiently understand consumer satisfaction, design priorities and the critical factors in device acceptance/rejection. This thesis establishes a user-based design framework to more closely connect the consumer, clinician and designer. The framework is exemplified by the profiling of individuals with limb absence and the subsequent evaluation of electroactive polymers as a potential solution to identified consumer priorities. To this purpose, a comprehensive, international survey of 262 participants was conducted. Multi-variate models (i.e. logistic regression, decision trees, radial basis function networks) suggest four primary factors in prosthesis rejection: fitting time-frame, involvement in prosthesis selection, age, and level of limb absence. Model specificity (prediction of wearers) and sensitivity (prediction of rejecters) of up to 93% and 80% were obtained, respectively. Design priorities focus on comfort, particularly improvements in weight, heat dissipation, fit, and harnessing options. Life-like appearance/function and sensory feedback are also of interest, particularly for children and wearers of passive or electric hands. To meet with consumer design priorities, the potential of light-weight dielectric elastomers as muscle-like actuators was empirically characterized with respect to performance, energy requirements, durability, and controllability. Challenges in these areas (i.e. low strain at high frequencies, insufficient power density, limited fatigue life, sensitivity to contaminants, and presence of hysteresis/creep), suggest the need for fundamental material developments before implementation in upper limb prosthetics is feasible. To fulfill consumer desire for sensory feedback, the performance of ionic polymer metal composites as light-weight, flexible, compact bend sensors was also explored. With linear responses within the operating range typical of hand prostheses, bending angles and rates were accurately predicted with errors of 4.4 +/- 2.5% and 4.8 +/- 3.5% respectively, comparable to traditional sensors. Future work in upper limb prosthetics calls for the union of clinical knowledge, engineering expertise and consumer experience in order to provide the best possible resources to individuals with upper limb absence. The research presented in this thesis provides a framework that facilitates such inter-professional, consumer-centric collaboration.
Psychological, family and illness factors: influences on metabolic control in females with type 1 diabetes mellitus

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship among psychological, family and illness factors and metabolic control in a sample of 121 females with type 1 DM. Using Structural Equation Modeling, four models were assessed and compared. Model D, where psychological factors mediated the relationship between family factors and metabolic control, best fit the data (goodness-of-fit chi 2 = 191.1, df = 57, p = 0.001). No relationship was found between attachment security to mother (r = -.007; p = .946), pubertal status (t(103) = .500, p = .618), duration of DM (r = 118) = .040, p = .666) and family type (F(2, 101) = 2.261, p = .109), and metabolic control. A low positive correlation between depressive symptoms and metabolic control was found (r = .127; p = .169). A moderately sized negative association between attachment security to mother and depressive symptoms was found (r = -.526; p = .01). Due to sample size limitations, this study was unable to determine whether children coming from single parent families (n = 12) display significantly poorer metabolic control than those coming from two-parent families (n = 103).
Environmental dispersal of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, gasoline additive, beside the major highways in Greater Toronto Area, Canada

Since the era of lead (Pb) additive to gasoline, Canadians have been more concerned about MMT use in gasoline and its effects on the Canadian environment. A number of recent publications have documented adverse health implications of MMT. However, no reports have been published on the impact of MMT on Canadian vegetation and soil. This work focused on the deposition effect of Mn from MMT source to the terrestrial environment beside the major highways in GTA, Canada. Results were compared with Pb and other trace elements such as Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Cu, Zn, Na, and Cl− ion in order to study behavior of Mn in soil. Surface soil, subsoil, grass species, sugar maple tree core and foliage samples were collected at distances up to 40 metres from the roadside. Parameters evaluated included total and available Mn along with other trace elements, particle size, cation exchange capacity, organic matter and pH. According to the traffic density, higher Mn deposition was expected along 401 (278,560 cars/day) than 400 (47,835 cars/day). No significant difference was found in surface soil, or subsoil within 401 and 400 Barrie (E+1) site. However, significant difference was observed in grass species within 401 (Warden Avenue, E+3 and Brock Road, E+4) and 400 Barrie (E+1) site. Higher accumulation of Mn was expected on 401 urban sites but a higher level of Mn accumulation in grass species was observed at Barrie (E+1) site. No significant difference was observed in maple tree core samples or in “washed” and “unwashed” maple leaves within 400 Barrie (E+1) and King city (E+2) sites. In addition, model was developed to predict the levels of the traffic density and 15% tailpipe Mn emissions for the area studied. The Mn emission input levels were found to be so insignificant that it may take several hundred years to reach the observed output levels in surface soil. This concludes that the continuous usage of MMT in Canadian gasoline will not increase the level of Mn beside the major highways of GTA that may account toxic to the terrestrial environment as demonstrated by the study.
A knowledge translation intervention to improve cholesterol management in diabetes in remote Aboriginal communities

Objectives. (1) To explore the barriers to implementation of diabetes clinical practice guidelines in remote aboriginal communities. (2) To test the feasibility and effectiveness of prioritizing care processes and audit and feedback in improving cholesterol management in diabetic patients in reserves in Northern Ontario. Conclusion. Simplified and prioritized key points and audit and feedback are an appropriate and effective method to increase statin prescription rates in diabetic patients with elevated cholesterol in remote aboriginal settings, but not diabetic patients in general. Physicians and nurses both have priority indecision regarding diabetes care, but respond differently to reducing complexity of care. Results. Providers identified a range of factors leading to indecision in prioritization of processes of diabetes care. Prioritized key points derived from this were well received (though poorly understood) by nurses, but rejected by doctors because they de-individualized care. The audit and feedback was accepted by all providers, and they felt that following up patients did not significantly increase their workload. The 2 intervention communities included 153 patients and the 2 controls had 158 patients, who were comparable at baseline. The intervention did not increase statin prescription rates in diabetic patients overall, but there was a significant increase in the subset of patients with elevated cholesterol from 46% to 56% (p=0.046) with no significant change in the control group (from 47% to 50%, p=0.25). Methods. A sequential, mixed method study was conducted among health care providers in Oji-Cree reserves in Sioux Lookout Zone, Ontario. A range of primary care providers participated in in-depth interviews and focus groups to explore barriers to diabetes care. These results informed a controlled before-after intervention trial. Two communities were randomized to receive an interactive education workshop intervention and audit and feedback identifying diabetic patients with elevated cholesterol, while the other 2 communities had usual care. The primary outcome measure was statin prescription rate and the secondary outcome was statin prescription in patients with elevated cholesterol. Outcomes were assessed by chart review at baseline and 10 months post-intervention. Providers in the intervention group were interviewed to assess the acceptability, feasibility and degree of implementation of the intervention.
A multicontextual approach to zooarchaeology: procurement strategies in the Mackenzie Delta Region, Western Canadian Arctic

Large, complex, databases cannot be adequately comprehended with narrow methodologies and polarized theoretical frameworks. In an attempt to overcome these difficulties, this study develops a systematic multicontextual technique for the analysis of multiple archaeofaunal assemblages. The approach advocated here takes part in an emerging disciplinary trend that supports greater integration of archaeofaunas with multiple archaeological databases and diverse theoretical frameworks. This methodology is composed of two levels; (1) pattern recognition, and (2) evaluation against multiple interpretative contexts, or contexts of reference. A rigorous approach to pattern recognition was achieved through the complementary use of two multivariate statistical techniques; correspondence analysis and cluster analysis. These techniques allowed for the ordering of the faunal assemblages into five distinct Procurement Clusters, such that they could be compared against a number of models derived from multiple contexts of reference. This research framework is illustrated through analysis of a high resolution Neoeskimo faunal database from the Mackenzie Delta Region, western Canadian Arctic. The analysis suggests that a wide array of procurement adaptations were adopted by Neoeskimo groups in the region. In particular, at winter house sites, five specialized, or focal, economies were identified that appear to have been practiced simultaneously by different groups. This diverse economy is largely a result of a condensed array of productive ecological nodes in the Mackenzie Delta Region, which each attracted a unique constellation of migratory faunal resources. Nevertheless, the distribution of these nodes was not the only factor which mediated this pattern, and the development of these focal strategies also appears to have been in part associated with a suite of climatic, technological, demographic, and social changes that occurred throughout the period ca. 1200--1850 AD.