VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
An Exploration of the Emotional and Mental Challenges Children Experience following Sport-related Concussions

Recent consensus statements on sport-related concussions (SRCs) highlight the need for further research investigating emotional challenges following SRC in children (Graham et al., 2014; McCrory et al., 2013). The current study used an exploratory retrospective approach to gain a better understanding of the emotional and mental experiences post-concussion. Twenty-one athletes ages 15-24 years participated in semi-structured telephone interviews regarding their concussion and recovery. Thematic content analysis was conducted to identify themes among responses. Results indicated three overarching domains with underlying themes and subthemes within: 1) Acute Challenges Post-Concussion (difficulty accepting unknowns, self-image and mattering, school, missing out and isolation, feelings of hopelessness), 2) Coping with Acute Challenges Post-Concussion (support, previous concussions, prioritizing mental health) and 3) Take Aways Post-Concussion (learning about injury, self-growth, long lasting impacts on overall health). The current results suggest that child athletes face numerous emotional challenges post-concussion and better interventions and support are critical to help athletes overcome these challenges.

Keywords: Emotional Challenges
Mental Health
Recovery Outcomes
Rehabilitation
Sport-Related Concussion
Advisor: Volpe, Richard
Inverse Optimization for Clinical Pathway Concordance

In this thesis, we propose the first data-driven inverse optimization approach to measuring the concordance of patient care pathways with clinical guidelines. Our methodological approach considers a patient's journey as a walk in a directed graph where the weights of the arcs are derived by solving an inverse shortest path problem. The inverse optimization model uses two sources of information to find the arc weights: reference pathways derived from the clinical guidelines (primary) and data from real-world patient-related activity from patients with both positive and negative clinical outcomes (secondary). Our approach can be applied to complex applications requiring context sensitive weights. We present case studies for colon and breast cancer patient pathways and validate the association of our metric with patient survival. Lastly, we demonstrate the application of our metric in identifying broad patterns of discordant behavior within a patient cohort.

Keywords: cancer
clinical pathway
concordance
inverse optimization
network flow
survival analysis
Advisor: Chan, Timothy
A Comparison of Material Quantities Estimates to Onsite Material Use for Bridge Infrastructure Projects

Material estimates play a crucial role in predicting project cost, project duration, and embodied CO2e emissions for construction projects. Several factors that occur during the implementation stage introduce discrepancies in material quantity estimates, which misinform critical decisions that affect project delivery. There is, however, a limited understanding of the variability in material estimates for construction projects, and its impacts on other estimating processes. This thesis compares construction stage quantities to detailed design estimates for eighteen Canadian-based bridges to quantify the variability in material quantities and to determine the driving factors. Results show a 3%-85%, 8%-23%, 5%-19%, and 11%-17% increase in concrete, rebar, structural steel, and asphalt quantities between estimates and onsite use. The results of this thesis inform our understanding of design estimates and their interpretation. Adjusting for the discrepancy between estimates and onsite measurements and targeting the driving factors will reduce environmental impacts, minimize cost overruns and limit delays.

Keywords: Concrete
Construction
Detailed Design
Highway bridges
Material estimates
Material quantity variability
Advisor: Saxe, Shoshanna
Panesar, Daman K
The Impact of Learning Sequence on Performance in a Rule-plus-exceptions Categorization Task

Category learning is key to successfully navigating an information-rich world. However, many categories contain exceptions that violate a general rule. Previous research has implicated hippocampus (HC) in rule-plus-exception (RPE) category learning, but limited work has explored hippocampal sensitivity to changes in learning sequence. Here we examine how delaying the introduction of exception items in an RPE category learning task impacts learning outcomes and explore HC’s role in this manipulation. Behavioural results indicate that exception categorization improves when exceptions are introduced later in learning, after exposure to rule-following stimuli. Simulations of this task using a computational model of HC replicate these behavioural findings. These results provide novel computational evidence for HC’s sensitivity to the sequence of learning and further support its proposed role in RPE learning. Our findings serve as a starting point for further exploration of the role of hippocampal subfields and white matter pathways in learning.

Keywords: Category learning
Computational modelling
Hippocampus
Advisor: Mack, Michael L
Advances in Heap Leach Pad Surface Moisture Mapping using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology and Aerial Remote Sensing Imagery

As easily accessible high-grade mineral reserves are depleting, heap leaching (HL) is gaining an increased interest in the mining industry due to its economic feasibility for processing low-grade ores. For HL operations, monitoring heap leach pad (HLP) surface moisture distribution is essential to ensure optimal leaching conditions and to achieve a high metal recovery. Conventional monitoring methods rely on manual sampling and naked-eye observation by technical staff, which are labour-intensive and expose personnel to hazardous leaching reagents frequently. To complement the conventional approaches, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) combined with aerial imaging techniques can acquire representative data depicting the moisture status across the HLP surface. This thesis presents a practical framework for HLP surface moisture monitoring, consisting of UAV-based data collection and advanced data analytics to generate HLP surface moisture maps, which provide direct visualization of the surface moisture distribution and are effective tools to streamline the HLP monitoring process.

Keywords: Heap leach pad monitoring
Heap leaching
Moisture mapping
Remote sensing
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Advisor: Esmaeili, Kamran
The Pharmacogenetics of Opioid Treatment for Post-operative Pain Management

Opioids are among the most commonly prescribed medications, internationally. Current evidence suggests that variability in opioid analgesia can be attributed to genetic factors. The association of ten opioid-related genetic variants and opioid analgesia was investigated in a sample of 72 healthy participants experiencing pain after the removal of wisdom teeth. Percent change in pain severity and pain interference was assessed over a seven-day post-operative period using a pain questionnaire. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests. In this cohort, 58% were female, 42% were male, and the mean age was 23 years of age. Participants were prescribed codeine (47%), tramadol (3%), oxycodone (1%), morphine (36%), or hydromorphone (13%). The OPRD1 gene T921C variant (p=0.02), the ABCB1 gene C3435T variant (p=0.01), and CYP2D6 metaboliser status (p=0.01) were associated with opioid analgesia. These findings suggest involvement of these variants in opioid response, which may be helpful in optimizing individualized therapy for post-operative pain.

Keywords: Analgesia
Dentistry
Genetics
Opioid
Pain
Pharmacogenetic
Advisor: Kennedy, James L
Examining the Effects of Concussion on the Autonomic Nervous System using 24-hour Heart Rate Variability

Sport-related concussions (SRC) cause various physiological alterations; however, the research examining the use of heart rate variability (HRV) in SRC is limited. The purpose of this thesis was to identify potential autonomic nervous system perturbations caused by SRC. This prospective cohort study examined 24-hour HRV of athletes with concussion compared to athletes with musculoskeletal injuries and healthy athletes. No significant between-group differences were observed at both the acute and 1-month post-injury time points. Both female and male athletes with concussion had significantly lower values of HRV measures at 1-month post-injury when compared to the acute time point. However, male athletes with musculoskeletal injuries displayed an increase in HRV measures at 1-month post-injury compared to the acute time point whereas no significant findings were observed for female athletes. These findings suggest that although there were no significant between-group differences, it appears that injury groups had differing HRV responses over time.

Keywords: Autonomic nervous system
Concussion
Heart rate variability
Advisor: Hutchison, Michael G
Nudging Eco-driving Behaviour using Motive Substitution

The behaviour change technique of motive substitution may be a more effective method of motivating drivers to adopt an energy efficient driving style than existing strategies. Previous research has tested dashboard displays that inform, score, and advise drivers, but do little to overcome attitudinal barriers, intention-action gaps, and apathy. An animated sloshing coffee-cup display applies motive substitution by providing an alternate gameful experience that is intuitive, engaging, and congruous with the goal of low-acceleration driving. This intervention incorporates principles from cognitive and social psychology, human factors engineering, and behavioural economics to influence driver behaviour while managing distraction risks. The intuitive elements of the display were tested in an online survey with drivers reporting a significant preference for the coffee-cup display over an acceleration dial gauge. A driving simulator study was developed to test the behavioural impacts of a functional prototype using measures of acceleration, fuel consumption, and eye glance durations.

Keywords: Design for Behaviour Change
Eco-Driving
Gameful Design
Motive Substitution
Nudge
Pro-Environmental Behaviour
Advisor: Shu, Lily H
Characterizing Atrial Structural Remodeling in Atrial Fibrillation Patients without Fibrotic Atrial Myopathy

Bi-atrial structural remodeling in AF patients with no LA FAM has not been studied. We hypothesized that AF patients with no LA FAM will exhibit atrial structural remodeling that is less extensive than patients with LA FAM. Prospectively enrolled patients were divided into three groups: (1) no LA FAM (

Keywords: Atrial
Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiology
Electrophysiology
Fibrosis
Structural Remodeling
Advisor: Chauhan, Vijay S
Targeting the Ubiquitin Proteasome System for the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with a dismal overall five- year survival rate of 6%. The current first-line therapy, cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy (C/E) +/- radiation (RT), has changed minimally over 30 years. Recently, the ubiquitin proteasome system has become an attractive therapeutic target for cancer therapy. We evaluated TAK-243, a promising novel small molecule E1 (UBA1) inhibitor, as a novel SCLC therapy. We assessed TAK-243, both as a single agent and in combination with C/E and RT. We discovered a subset of SCLC cell-lines sensitive to TAK-243 that correlated with high BEND3 and low YAP1 expression, identifying potential molecular biomarkers of response. We recapitulated these results in patient-derived xenograft models of SCLC. TAK-243 produced a synergistic effect in combination with C/E and effectively radiosensitized a SCLC patient-derived xenograft model. Our work highlights the potential of TAK-243 as a therapeutic strategy to improve SCLC outcomes.

Advisor: Lok, Benjamin H
Liu, Geoffrey
Generative Design to Reduce Embodied GHG Emissions of High-rise Buildings

Although countries have reduced their total greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy and transportation policies, the contribution of the building sector has been widely overlooked. Embodied emissions (EE) are particularly important since they are released upfront rather than over the lifespan of buildings, making them critical for accomplishing the 2030 Canadian emission reduction targets. Accordingly, this study developed a tool to reduce EE at the conceptual stage of high-rise residential buildings. The tool also incorporates goals and constraints that are inherent to conceptual building design, such as maximizing site use, views, and complying with building codes. In a case study, it was able to achieve a 7% reduction in EE when compared to a sub-optimal solution. This research elucidated the potential of using generative design in early-stage design, proposed novel systems for the generation and evaluation of design alternatives, and delivered GenGHG, a ready-to-use, open-source tool for conceptual building design.

Keywords: design
embodied
emissions
generative
GHG
LCA
Advisor: Posen, Daniel
McCabe, Brenda
An Assessment of the Use of Autonomous Ground Vehicles for Last-mile Parcel Delivery

Last-mile parcel delivery is a particularly costly element of the freight supply chain. The high cost of last-mile delivery can be attributed to the complexities associated with business to consumer e-commerce and current labour-intensive delivery methods. This thesis quanties the cost savings associated with implementing an automated last-mile delivery system. A literature review focused on vehicle routing problems and their applications to automated delivery systems is presented. Parcel demand data are provided by a large courier company operating in Canada. These data are described with gures and summary statistics. A novel synchronized split-delivery vehicle routing problem is formulated, which ensures delivery vehicles arrive at their destinations at the same time as all others if deliveries are split between vehicles. The model is applied to the sample data to compare cost of operating an automated system with the current manual system. Finally, recommendations to the data provider on implementing such a system are made.

Keywords: Automation
Autonomous Vehicles
E-Commerce
Last-Mile
Parcel Delivery
Vehicle Routing Problem
Advisor: Roorda, Matthew J
A Systems-based Approach to Characterizing Intraoperative Factors Leading to Uncertainty in Laparoscopic General Surgery

This is an exploratory study that analyzes recordings captured by the OR Black Box® to characterize system triggers of uncertainty and their impact on intraoperative adverse events in laparoscopic general surgery. Seventy surgical recordings were analyzed over an 8-month data collection period. Using the Framework Analysis method, a 3-part taxonomy was developed to assess the predictability of uncertainty (planned vs. unplanned), system triggers of uncertainty (environment, interpersonal, patient, personal, task, or tools/technology) and responses to uncertainty (discussing, engaging, guiding, repeating, pausing, and seeking advice). Planned uncertainty arose mostly from personal triggers wherein staff responded with guidance and seeking advice. Unplanned uncertainty arose from all system triggers and was resolved with discussion between team members. Altogether, this study provides a structured model that differentiates between the underlying system triggers of uncertainty and supports the need for the development of targeted interventions to properly identify and manage uncertainty.

Keywords: Framework analysis
Human factors
Laparoscopic surgery
Patient safety
Systems factors
Uncertainty
Advisor: Trbovich, Patricia
Low Power Analog Front End Design for 112 Gbps PAM-4 SERDES Receiver

This thesis proposes an analog front end (AFE) design of a 112 Gbps PAM-4 SERDES receiver in 16 nm FinFET technology. It consists of a front-end termination block and a CMOS inverter-based continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE). The high transconductance of the CMOS inverter as an amplifier provides a low power equalization solution. The front end-termination network is exploited to achieve certain passive equalization. The common-mode feedback loop (CMFB) improves the common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of the CTLE and it is a low power biasing solution in comparison to a self-biased diode-connected inverter load. The tunability in the CMOS tristate inverter cell enables power-scalability in the design. This also helps to track PVT variations. Using the CTLE as the only means of active equalization for a long reach channel (backplane) with 30 dB attenuation at 28GHz Nyquist frequency, this AFE design achieves 17dB of equalization consuming 10 mW power with a 0.8 V supply voltage in post layout extracted results.

Keywords: analog
CTLE
FinFET
front-end
PAM-4
SERDES
Advisor: Johns, David A.
Altered Hippocampal Structure In Trigeminal Neuralgia

The hippocampus has long been studied for its crucial role in learning and memory. Recent findings suggest that the hippocampus also plays a role in shaping pain experience. This thesis aims to investigate hippocampal alterations in chronic neuropathic pain, using trigeminal neuralgia (TN) as a model. TN is a facial neuropathic pain syndrome that is highly debilitating but is amenable to surgical intervention. In this thesis, structural magnetic resonance images (MRI) were used to measure grey matter volume in the hippocampus. Study 1 which includes 21 TN patients, demonstrated that the hippocampus is smaller in TN subjects and hippocampal subfields are selectively affected. Study 2 which includes 61 TN patients with MRI before and after surgery, shown that the hippocampal subfield abnormalities normalized after pain resolution following surgical interventions. This body of work highlights that the hippocampus can be dynamically altered in chronic pain conditions.

Keywords: Chronic Neuropathic Pain
Facial Pain
Hippocampus
Structural MR analyses
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Advisor: Hodaie, Mojgan
The Effects of Endothelial Progenitor Cell Therapy on Fracture Healing and Infection Status Outcomes in a Low-grade Infected Rat Critical-size Defect Model

Low-grade infection represents a common cause of nonunion and complicates its management. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are capable of healing bone defects, but their potential antimicrobial properties remain unknown. We aimed to evaluate EPCs’ bone healing and infection treatment potential in an infected nonunion setting, with and without local antibiotics. In our first three experiments, we established a consistent low-grade infected nonunion model, selected an effective local antibiotic therapy, encountered EPC functionality issues while investigating bone healing outcomes, and troubleshooted to reproduce high bone healing rates. Our final experiment analyzed infection outcomes and did not demonstrate any significant effect of EPCs on low-grade infection eradication in the presence or absence of local antibiotics. However, the final study was small-scale and lacked sufficient statistical power to demonstrate an effect. Therefore, further experimentation with larger-scale study designs are necessary to more adequately investigate the combination of EPCs and local antibiotics as a potential single-stage therapy for low-grade infected nonunions.

Advisor: Nauth, Aaron
Schemitsch, Emil
Characterizing the Effects of Metformin on Brain Development following Cranial Irradiation

Cranial radiation therapy (CRT) is a mainstay of treatment for primary pediatric CNS tumours and high-risk leukemia. Although CRT improves long-term survival, it has been shown to disrupt normal brain development and result in debilitating cognitive impairments in cancer survivors. Animal studies suggest that there is potential for promotion of brain recovery after injury using metformin, a first-line treatment for managing type-2 diabetes. Our aim was to evaluate whether metformin can restore neuroanatomical development in a pediatric mouse model of CRT using in vivo multiple-mouse MRI. Our results show that metformin administration starting on the day of irradiation exacerbated radiation-induced injury, whereas delayed treatment improved neuroanatomical outcomes. We also found sex-dependence in both the effects of CRT and of metformin administration. Taken together, this study provides insight into the benefits and difficulties of metformin as a strategy to improve brain development after CRT.

Keywords: late effects
metformin
mri
neurodevelopment
neurogenesis
radiation
Advisor: Nieman, Brian J
Understanding the Links Between Personality and Depression: The Impact of Life Stress

Research supports relations between domains of the Five Factor Model (FFM) personality hierarchy and major depressive disorder (MDD). Inconsistencies in the literature highlight the value of lower-order FFM traits, and contextual factors such as life stress, which have been tied to MDD. The current study investigated whether life stress moderates the associations between FFM traits and depression severity, as well as whether FFM traits differ according to the presence of life stress and MDD diagnosis. 171 youth and young adults with MDD and 140 healthy participants were administered measures of personality, depression, and life stress. Results did not support a moderating role of life stress; instead, FFM traits and life stress were independently associated with depression severity. Furthermore, results showed that those diagnosed with MDD differed on certain FFM personality traits compared to healthy controls. These findings support an additive model of personality and life stress in relation to depression.

Keywords: five-factor model of personality
major depressive disorder
stressful life events
youth and young adults
Advisor: Quilty, Lena C
Bagby, R. Michael
Hepatic FGF21 is under the Regulation of the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has emerged as an important metabolic regulator for its involvement in energy homeostasis and insulin signaling sensitization. Our lab has obtained preliminary observation suggesting that hepatic FGF21 is reduced in male LTCFDN, a transgenic mouse line in which canonical Wnt signaling cascade is functionally attenuated. With approaches including Western blotting, quantitative RT-PCR, and ELISA, I verified reduced hepatic Fgf21 mRNA and FGF21 protein levels, along with reduced fasting plasma FGF21 level in male LTCFDN mice. This reduction was not associated with reduced expression of Pparα, a known Fgf21 transactivator. Utilizing mouse primary hepatocytes, luciferase reporter assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation, I determined the stimulation of Fgf21 expression by Wnt activation at transcriptional level, attributed to increased TCF7L2 binding to the Fgf21 promoter. My observations collectively suggest that Wnt signaling cascade is involved in hepatic FGF21 production, and this positive regulation is likely independent of PPARα-mediated regulation.

Advisor: Jin, Tianru