VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Stress and Placebo Alcohol on Cognitive Activation and Inhibitory Control in Male Problem Drinkers and Healthy Controls

This study assessed the separate and combined effects of two important instigators of relapse, alcohol cues and stress, on the salience of alcohol target stimuli and inhibitory control, in 12 male problem drinkers and 16 male controls. Subjects underwent two test sessions where they received alcohol cues (non-alcoholic beer) and/or stress (uncontrollable noise) in a counterbalanced manner. Testing was carried out through validated, computer-based tasks: modified Stroop, gambling-word Shift task; and conventional and modified (Alcohol word) Stop-Signal tasks. Inhibitory control was preferentially impaired to Alcohol stimuli in both groups. Beer and stress in combination increased incentive salience of Alcohol stimuli and moderated self-reported desire for alcohol in problem drinkers but not controls. Results suggest that alcohol cues and stress have interactive effects on subjective motivation, and disinhibit behaviour due to distraction in problem drinkers. Findings from this paradigm may improve understanding and facilitate treatment for relapse prevention in problem drinkers.

Keywords: clinical pharmacology
problem drinkers
addiction
Advisor: Zack, Martin
Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass or Spinal Surgery

Patients undergoing elective surgery typically fast for 8-12 hours before surgery. However, oral preoperative carbohydrate ingestion may increase postoperative insulin sensitivity and reduce complications. To determine the effects of carbohydrate supplementation prior to CABG or spinal surgery, 38 patients were randomized to receive a carbohydrate supplement or to fast for 12 hours preoperatively. Baseline and postoperative measurements of insulin sensitivity were completed using the short insulin tolerance test and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Patient discomfort was measured immediately before surgery. Insulin sensitivity was not significantly different between groups. However, the supplemented group experienced a significantly smaller rise in glucose levels following surgery (p=0.03) and had higher postoperative HOMA-β scores (p=0.02). Fasted patients were significantly more thirsty (p=0.01), hungry (p=0.04) and anxious (p=0.01) before surgery and experienced a significantly longer hospital stay (p=0.008). Carbohydrate supplementation improved outcomes, warranting re-evaluation of fasting practices prior to major surgery.

Keywords: Insulin resistance
Carbohydrate supplementation
Cardiac surgery
Spine surgery
Short insulin tolerance test
Outcomes
Advisor: Keith, Mary E.
Does Inulin Reduce Postprandial Free Fatty Acid Rebound?

High fibre diets are associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This may be due to short-chain-fatty-acids (SCFA) influencing insulin resistance and secretion via changes in free-fatty-acids (FFA) and specific gut hormones. We aimed to determine the postprandial effects of inulin, a fermentable, soluble fibre in healthy subjects. Twelve fasted subjects were studied for 6 hours after either 80g high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), 56g HFCS plus 24g inulin, or 56g HFCS drinks using a randomized, cross-over design. SCFA were higher after inulin beginning at 4 hours. FFA were lower 4 hours after inulin than 56gHFCS. GLP-1 was higher 30 minutes after inulin than 56 and 80HFCS, while ghrelin was lower from 4-6 hours after inulin. The results support the hypothesis that inulin and SCFA generated from colonic fermentation of dietary fibre may improve insulin resistance and secretion via modulation of FFA and specific gut hormones.

Keywords: free fatty acids
short chain fatty acids
inulin
Advisor: Wolever, Thomas M. S.
Programmed Cell Death 4 is a Direct Target of miR-21 and Regulates Invasion in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4) is a known tumour suppressor, lost in carcinomas of the breast, prostate, colon, lung and ovary. This study found significantly reduced levels of PDCD4 mRNA and protein in both primary patient oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and OSCC cell lines. Moreover, lower PDCD4 mRNA levels were significantly correlated with nodal metastasis (P=0.019). To determine the functional significance of PDCD4 down-regulation in OSCC we asked whether PDCD4 played a role in invasion. In fact, over-expression of PDCD4 decreased invasion of OSCC lines. We then sought to determine a mechanism for PDCD4 down-regulation in OSCC. Previous studies in breast and colon carcinomas suggested that reduced PDCD4 expression was due to over-expression of miR-21. Interestingly, miR-21 was inversely correlated to PDCD4 mRNA (P=0.002) and PDCD4 protein (P<0.001) levels in OSCC patient samples. Moreover, we found that miR-21 directly regulated PDCD4 protein expression in OSCC cell lines. This is the first report in OSCC that demonstrates that PDCD4 is down-regulated by miR-21 and may play a role in OSCC invasion.

Keywords: Oral Cancer
PDCD4
miR-21
Metastasis
Invasion
Biomarkers
Advisor: Kamel-Reid, Suzanne
Permafrost in Canada's Subarctic Region of Northern Ontario

An investigation of permafrost (permanently frozen soil) was conducted in Canada’s subarctic region of Northern Ontario. Environmental baseline conditions and permafrost states were estimated using seasonal freezing and thawing energies based on observed climate data and the Stefan equation. Field studies provided measurements of the active layer depths and validated the permafrost states; laboratory studies of the soil samples provided characterization for organic materials that have high affinity for soil moisture. Palsas (unique dome-like formations) were observed to have enhanced permafrost cores beneath a thermal insulating organic layer. With climate change, results suggest the possibility of shifts from the classification of continuous to discontinuous permafrost states in areas lacking the presence of organic materials that can have environmental and ecological impacts. Northern infrastructures may become destabilized with the degradation of permafrost while palsas may become lone permafrost refuges for biodiversity that depend on cooler ecosystems, such as polar bears.

Keywords: Permafrost
Palsa
Stefan Depth
Active Layer
Degree Days
Northern Ontario
Advisor: Gough, William A.
Regulation of Foreign Banks in Russia

In this paper, the issues of foreign investment in Russian banking sector are addressed. The study aims to shed light on foreign banks challenges in Russia and analyze their roots. The paper confirms the fact that fast development of new banking system, corruption, weak law enforcement and highly vulnerable banking legislation as well as undeveloped institutional infrastructure have a harmful effect on banking sector in Russia and it attractiveness for foreign investors. The history and current situation with foreign investment into banking sector in Russia are examined. The author argues that development of strong and internationally competitive banking sector requires a state policy shift: from protectionism to regulated market competition. Current legal frame and infrastructure are analyzed, with special emphasis to different form of foreign investments into banking sector. Several proposals on legislative improvement are made.

Keywords: law
Advisor: Ho, Betty
A Substantive Void: Dependency, Conditionality, and Deformalization of the International Law of Self-determination in the Case of Palestine

Be it the Algerian National Liberation Front, the African National Congress in South Africa or the continued struggle of the Palestinian people, the principle of self-determination is largely central to all projects of national liberation. This paper addresses what is arguably a deficient conception of self-determination by highlighting two factors that contributed to this deficiency. The first is the re-enforcement of dependency in self-determination projects by international institutions, primarily through the Mandate System. The second is a merit-based system of conditionality for the granting of independence, accompanied by a tendency to deformalize the law, relegating self-determination to an empty principle, the substance of which is decided by the negotiations’ context. The case of Palestine is used to demonstrate how those factors are adopted as central means in resolving the Palestinian self-determination problem, which in-turn leads to a deficient conception that does not account for the core content of the right.

Keywords: international law of self-determination
Colonialism and the mandate system
conditionality in international law
Self-determination in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Advisor: Bhuta, Nehal
Genetic and Serolgical Markers Associated with Pouchitis and a Crohn's Disease-like Phenotype after Pelvic Pouch Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis

Objective: Study the clinical, genetic and serological factors associated with new onset ileal inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients who have undergone ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Methods: Retrospective assessment of UC patients registered in the MSH surgical database, questionnaire, chart review and serological and genetic analysis of blood sample. Results: There was a positive association between gASCA antibodies, anti-L, smoking status and axial arthritis/ankylosing spondylits with a Crohn’s Disease (CD)-like phenotype post-op in UC/IPAA patients. Associations between alleles of selected genes including ECM1, PTPN2, and CD14 and post-operative phenotype were identified. Conclusions: gASCA is typically associated with CD rather than UC which raises the possibility that gASCA positivity may delineate a subset of UC patients at risk for developing a CD-like phenotype after IPAA. The identification of genotype/phenotype associations in UC/IPAA will help to find those at risk for poor post-operative outcome. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: serological
genetic
Advisor: Silverberg, Mark
Interconnection of Direct-drive Wind Turbines Using A Series Connected DC Grid

This thesis presents the concept of a "distributed HVDC converter" for offshore wind farms. The proposed converter topology allows series interconnection of wind turbines obviating the necessity of transformers and an offshore platform. Each wind turbine is equipped with a 5MW permanent-magnet synchronous generator and an ac-dc-dc converter. The converter topology is a diode rectifier (ac-dc) cascaded with a single-switch step-down converter (dc-dc). The dc-dc stage allows the current to flow at all times in the dc link while regulating generator torque. The receiving end is equipped with a conventional thyristor-based HVDC converter. The inverter station is located onshore and it regulates the dc link current to be constant. Stability of the configuration and independent operation of the wind turbines are validated through simulations using the PSCAD/EMTDC software package. Protection for some key dc fault scenarios are discussed and a possible protection strategy is proposed.

Keywords: HVDC power transmission
wind energy
offshore wind farms
power electronics
Advisor: Lehn, Peter W.
Hypoxia-induced Decrease in Renal Medullary Osmolality: Prevention with dDAVP

Acute kidney injury (AKI) may result from perioperative renal medullary hypoxia. Despite high oxygen delivery to the kidney, the medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) in the outer renal medulla is susceptible to hypoxia because of its high oxygen consumption and relatively low rate of blood flow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low pO2 (8% FiO2 for 5 h) on the major function of the mTAL and to develop a strategy to protect the mTAL in this setting. Evidence of hypoxia-induced reduction in mTAL function included low interstitial and urine osmolality but only a minimal rise in Na+ excretion; this was prevented by pre-treatment with desmopressin acetate (dDAVP), a vasopressin analogue which may increase tissue pO2. A decrease in urine osmolality may be of diagnostic value for hypoxic renal damage and dDAVP may prevent acute kidney injury in the perioperative setting.

Keywords: hypoxia
renal function
dDAVP
osmolality
Advisor: Mazer, David
Hare, Gregory
State-dependent Versus Central Motor Effects of Ethanol on Breathing

This thesis tested the hypothesis that ethanol suppresses respiratory muscle activity by effects at the central motor pool and/or by state-dependent regulation of motor activity via influences on sleep/arousal processes. Ten rats were implanted with electroencephalogram and neck electrodes to record sleep-wake states, and genioglossus and diaphragm electrodes for respiratory recordings. Studies were performed following intraperitoneal injection of ethanol (1.25g/kg) or vehicle. The effects on genioglossus activity of ethanol (0.025-1M) or vehicle applied directly to the hypoglossal motor nucleus were also determined in sixteen isoflurane-anaesthetized rats. The results of these studies suggest that ethanol at physiologically relevant concentrations promoted sleep, and altered electroencephalogram and postural motor activities indicative of a sedating effect. The lack of effect on genioglossus activity with ethanol applied directly to the hypoglossal motor pool suggests that the suppression observed with systemic administration may be mediated via effects on state-dependent processes rather than direct effects at the motor pool per se.

Keywords: sleep
breathing
genioglossus muscle
ethanol
hypoglossal motor nucleus
microdialysis
Advisor: Horner, Richard
The Investigation and Development of Mechanical Resonance Tissue Analysis and the Relationship to Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Quantitative Ultrasound

Currently Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) are used readily in the clinical environment for the assessment of bone quality. However, neither measure is a direct mechanical measure of bone. A Mechanical Resonance Tissue Analyzer (MRTA) has been developed that looks at the ulna’s deformation curve to vibration to achieve the measure of EI, cross sectional bending stiffness. This study investigated the relationships between MRTA to that of QUS and DXA. Regression analysis found significant linear correlations between EI to BMD and BMC, however, no significant relationships were found between EI and the variables of QUS. However, this technology is seen to have a potential for the assessment of in vivo bone quality. Furthermore, an improved configuration of the MRTA device is described, in addition to how preliminary results correspond to theoretical results.

Keywords: Bone
Quality
Strength
Ulna
MRTA
Advisor: Cheung, Angela M.
Display Design and Intelligent Automation: Design of an Intelligent Water Monitor Display

In response to growing concerns over the susceptibility of water distribution systems to contamination, this thesis presents the design and evaluation of an ecological display for an intelligent water monitoring system. Work Domain Analysis and Control Task Analysis were used to uncover the information requirements of the display. The work domain model in this thesis is one of a limited number of such models to include a representation of the automation. The resulting ecological display was evaluated in a comparative usability study against an alternative display based on a competitor’s product. Nine certified water operators participated. The displays were compared across three categories of usability measures: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. No significant differences were observed. The results, however, helped identify design changes for the display. The implications for the design of intelligent automation displays, and the challenge of designing displays in parallel with early development of automation systems, are discussed.

Keywords: automation
display design
Ecological Interface Design
Cognitive Work Analysis
water monitoring
intelligent automation
usability
Advisor: Jamieson, Gregory Allan
The Effect of Sodium Doping on Calcium Polyphosphate

Calcium polyphosphate (CPP) is a suitable substrate in a novel tissue-engineering strategy. The strategy aims to culture articular cartilage in vitro onto porous CPP and then implant the biphasic construct into the joint to replace damaged cartilage. CPP substrates should degrade faster to enhance repair. This project examined the structural and degradation effects of doping CPP with sodium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, and sodium carbonate. Doping concentration was narrowed to 0.01 Na2O/CaO for comparable phase composition to pure CPP. All doped groups sintered and crystallized at lower temperatures than pure CPP. Hydroxide-doped CPP did not form adequate sinter necks. At similar open porosity, Phosphate-doped CPP had similar diametral strength than pure CPP, while Carbonate-doped CPP had greater diametral strength. Degradation in vitro showed that Phosphate-doped CPP had greater strength loss, while Carbonate-doped CPP had similar strength loss, compared to pure CPP. Both doped groups degraded more slowly than pure CPP.

Keywords: calcium polyphosphate
sodium
Advisor: Coyle, Thomas W.
Grynpas, Marc D.
Clonal Derivation of Neural Stem Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Clonal culture is crucial for experimental protocols that require growth or selection of pure populations of cells. Currently, there is no method for deriving neural stem cells (NSCs) clonally from single human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Bulk derivation of neural progenitors from hESCs for cell therapies can lead to a host of problems including incomplete differentiation leading to proliferation of tumorigenic clusters in vivo. Clonal derivation allows for the screening and selection of only the most suitable cells for culture and expansion. We have developed a clonal, serum free method of generating NSCs and their progenitors directly from hESCs with an efficiency of 1.6%. The NSC colony-forming cell was identified as a TRA-1-60-/SSEA4- cell whose fate becomes specified in maintenance conditions by inhibition of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signalling. This clonal culture method can be scaled up to produce vast quantities of NSCs for differentiation and use in cell therapies.

Keywords: neural
stem cell
human
embryonic
clonal
Advisor: Kooy, Derek van der
Floating as the Keyword: Chinese Independent Documentary Films in Post-Socialist China

Independent documentary films have made floating population– such as the migrants and people who flow from place to place– a prominent screen scene against China’s social and cultural landscapes since the 1990s. This study investigates how a “floating generation” of Chinese filmmakers has been formed and represented as an imagined community in China’s post-socialist context through Chinese independent documentaries. An attempt to excavate and examine the problems behind the instable but also flexible status of Chinese independent filmmaking within the state censorship, my study focuses on the implications of the keyword “floating” as they unfold along the development of Chinese independent documentary films. In a case study of Jia Zhangke’s three documentaries, In Public, Dong and Useless, my study analyzes the relationship between independent documentaries and China’s campaign of “constructing a harmonious society”.

Keywords: cinema
Mass Communications
Cultural
Advisor: Meng, Yue
The Attitude Determination and Control System of the Generic Nanosatellite Bus

The Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB) is a spacecraft platform designed to accommodate the integration of diverse payloads in a common housing of supporting components. The development of the GNB at the Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) under the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment (CanX) program provides accelerated access to space while reducing non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs. The work presented herein details the development of the attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS) of the GNB. Specific work on magnetorquer coil assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) and reaction wheel testing is included. The embedded software development and unit-level testing of the GNB sun sensors are discussed. The characterization of the AeroAstro star tracker is also a major focus, with procedures and results presented here. Hardware models were developed and incorporated into SFL's in-house high-fidelity attitude dynamics and control simulation environment. This work focuses on specific contributions to the CanX-3, CanX-4&5, and AISSat-1 nanosatellite missions.

Keywords: Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control
Nanosatellite
Sun Sensor
Star Tracker
Reaction Wheel
Magnetorquer Coil
Advisor: Zee, Robert E.
Embedded Software Design for the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment Generic Nanosatellite Bus

The Space Flight Lab (SFL) at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) has developed an ambitious satellite program called the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment (CanX). The newest generation of CanX missions are based on the Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB). This bus was designed to accommodate many missions using a single, common platform. Currently, there are three nanosatellite missions using the GNB design. These missions include AISSat-1, CanX-3 (BRITE) and CanX-4&5. This thesis describes the high level embedded software design for the on-board computer (OBC), as part of the generic nanosatellite bus. The software discussed includes the Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) Thread, Serial Communications Controller (SCC) Thread, Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) Thread, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) Thread, Communications Thread, Memory Management Thread, Power Thread, House Keeping Computer (HKC) Thread, AISSat-1 Payload Thread and the Time Tag Thread. In addition to the application threads mentioned above, the software design and validation of the On Board Computer (OBC) design for the AISSat-1 mission is also discussed.

Keywords: Embedded Software
GNB
Advisor: Zee, Robert E.
Power System Design, Analysis, and Power Electronics Implementation on Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB) Spacecraft

The development of a multi-mission small spacecraft power system is described. This system has been designed for the University of Toronto Space Flight Laboratory Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB), an approximately 20cm cubical spacecraft with no deployed solar arrays. The GNB is inherently power-generation limited, and consequently, all available power must be utilized with maximum efficiency. This efficiency is achieved using an unconventional parallel-regulated architecture with Peak Power Tracking (PPT) functionality, and is shown to be the PPT design of highest efficiency for spacecraft of this class. In support of this design, a novel spacecraft power simulation suite has been developed, enabling parametric satellite power analysis with high fidelity. Finally, a unique variation on peak power tracking---referred to as peak current tracking---is described. This method is shown to reduce battery depth-of-discharge by as much as 20% over baseline architectures, and furthermore exhibits beneficial emergent behaviour for battery charge management.

Keywords: Spacecraft
Power Systems
Advisor: Zee, Robert E.