VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Welcome to Canada! An Inquiry into the Choice of Nursing as a Career among Immigrant Women of Nigerian Origin

This thesis investigated the choice of nursing among immigrant women from Nigeria in Canada. I sought to understand why increasing numbers of immigrant women from Nigeria with degrees and professional backgrounds are opting for careers in nursing. The study was conducted through an antiracist feminist lens and uncovered the many dimensions in which African immigrant women encounter marginalization and discrimination in the Canadian labour market, resulting from entrenched norms and values. I placed centre stage the voices of the Nigerian women, and through their narratives found that the decision to change careers was based on barriers they faced, the availability of jobs within nursing, as well as personal perceptions and interactions with other Nigerian women who had successfully changed careers. The conclusion reached is that despite the structural barriers faced, the choice of nursing had overall benefited the women, elevating their status and improving their economic situation.

Keywords: Immigrant
Women
Nursing
Career choice
Nigeria
Canada
Advisor: Mirchandani, Kiran
The Role of Personality and Emotion Regulation on Psychological Health among Trauma Survivors

A growing body of literature is focusing on the influence of personality and emotion regulation on psychological health. Using archival data from an expressive writing project, the current study investigated the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and emotion regulation, and the influence of the interaction of these variables on psychological health among trauma survivors. The results indicate that both perfectionistic self-presentation and more difficulties in emotion regulation contribute to symptoms of distress. As well, higher levels of perfectionistic self-presentation were associated with more difficulties in emotion regulation. Further, emotion regulation mediated the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and psychological distress but not common physical complaints. More specifically, the non-acceptance subscale of emotion regulation was found to be significant in a test of multiple mediator model.

Keywords: psychological health
personality
emotion regulation
perfectionistic self-presentation
posttraumatic stress
depression
Advisor: Watson, Jeanne
The Experiences of Muslim Girls with Curriculum/Schooling in Public Secondary Schools in Ontario, Canada

This study examines the experiences of nine hijabi and non-hijabi Muslim girls from diverse backgrounds with curriculum/schooling in public secondary schools in Ontario. The study uses individual interviews and a focus group discussion to delve into how Muslim girls understand their educational experiences. The participants were independent, thoughtful, and conscientious students who were evolving as individuals through their curriculum/schooling experiences. School was a forum where they questioned themselves, discovered their interests, and made sense of their multiple identities. The differences between a participant’s home and school life varied, and each girl had a unique manner in dealing with the various ideological and practical conflicts. As Muslim girls, they were confronted with certain challenges in school; however, this did not detract from the overall positive aspects of their public schooling experiences. My participants felt respected and validated as individuals in their schools and optimistic regarding their futures as Muslim Canadian females.

Keywords: Muslim
Girls
Public School
Secondary
Schools
Ontario
Toronto
Canada
Muslims
Islam
Female
Curriculum
Schooling
Diverse
Hijabi
Non-hijabi
Headscarf
Veil
Secondary School
Advisor: Niyozov, Sarfaroz
Study of Properties of Cryolite – Lithium Fluoride Melt Containing Silica

The ultimate goal of this study is to examine the feasibility of extracting silicon from silica through electrolysis. The objective of the thesis was to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of a cryolite-lithium fluoride mixture as an electrolyte for the electrolysis process. A study of 86.2wt%Cryolite and13.8wt%Lithium fluoride melt with silica concentration varying from 0-4wt% and temperature range of 900-1000°C was done. Three properties were measured using two sets of experiments: 1) Dissolution Behaviour Determination, to obtain a) solubility limit, b) dissolution rate (mass transfer coefficient) and 2) density using Archimedes’ Principle. The study concluded that solubility and dissolution rate increases with temperature and the addition of LiF to cryolite decreases the solubility limit but increases the rate at which silica dissolves into the melt. With addition of silica, the apparent density of electrolyte first increases up to 2-3wt% and the drops.

Keywords: cryolite
silica
lithium fluoride
dissolution
solubility
density
conductivity
mass transfer coefficient
Advisor: Barati, Mansoor
Inhibition of Brain CYP2D Lowers Codeine-induced Analgesia in Rats

CYP2D6 metabolizes codeine to morphine, the active analgesic metabolite. Variation in brain CYP2D6 activity may affect brain morphine levels after codeine administration and thereby influence analgesia. We investigate the effect of inhibiting brain CYP2D on codeine-induced analgesia. METHODS: Rats received intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of CYP2D inhibitors or vehicle controls. Rats were then given subcutaneous codeine injections and analgesia was measured with the tail-flick test. Morphine and codeine concentrations in brain and plasma were measured. CYP2D activity in brain and liver were assessed in vitro. RESULTS: Compared to vehicle treatment, i.c.v. inhibitor treatments resulted in lower codeine-induced analgesia, lower morphine levels in brain but not in plasma after codeine injections, and lower CYP2D activity in brain membranes but not in liver microsomes. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting brain CYP2D reduces codeine’s metabolism to morphine, resulting in less analgesia. Variation in brain CYP2D6 activity may influence response to codeine and other CYP2D6 substrates.

Keywords: codeine
rat
analgesia
tail flick test
CYP2D6
CYP2D
cytochrome P450 2D6
morphine
HPLC
rats
drug metabolism
pharmacokinetics
Advisor: Tyndale, Rachel
The Effect of Mechanical Stimulation on Osteocyte Chemo-sensitivity

Osteocytes are believed to be the mechanosensory cells that detect and respond to mechanical loading. Physiological loading by oscillatory fluid flow (OFF) activates osteocytes to increase intracellular calcium concentration and release prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Osteocytes are also sensitive to chemical stimulations such as serotonin, which can also increase PGE2 release. However, it is unclear whether mechanical stimulation can influence osteocyte sensitivity towards serotonin. In this thesis, MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cells were subjected to serotonin with or without precondition by OFF, the responses of intracellular calcium and PGE2 release were measured. Serotonin increased intracellular calcium and PGE2 release in osteocytes. The effects were significantly reduced by OFF precondition, suggesting mechanical precondition by OFF can reduce osteocyte sensitivity towards serotonin. In terms of mechanisms, OFF- and serotonin-induced calcium responses depended on intra- and extracellular calcium stores. ATP was found to partially mediate OFF modulation of serotonin-induced PGE2 release but not calcium.

Keywords: Osteocyte
Oscillatory Fluid Flow
Serotonin
Calcium
PGE2
Advisor: You, Lidan
Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications of Biological Behavior of TP53 Mutations in WNT and Sonic-Hedgehog Medulloblastomas

Recent discoveries enabled us to divide medulloblastoma into molecular sub-groups and uncover novel mutations in these tumors. However, except for superior survival of the WNT sub-group, the prognostic and therapeutic implications of these observations remain unclear. TP53 mutations which confer radioresistance revealed conflicting clinical relevance in different studies. We hypothesized that the effect of TP53 mutations on survival is modulated through molecular sub-grouping. This is especially important since therapeutic targeting of WNT can be achieved with administration of lithium. Here we first confirmed that TP53 mutant tumors confers unfavorable outcome only in SHH subgroup, but not in WNT. We demonstrated that while TP53 mutations cause radioresistance, activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling radiosensitizes medulloblastoma cells. We demonstrated that lithium activates the WNT pathway and effectively sensitize medulloblastoma cells to radiation. Furthermore, lithium did not sensitize normal neural stem cells to radiation, suggesting its potential as an effective radiosensitizer for medulloblastoma.

Keywords: Medulloblastoma
Lithium
TP53
CTNNB1
radiation resistance
Advisor: Tabori, Uri
A Re-assessment of the Risk:Benefit Analysis of Statin Therapy during Pregnancy: Do Benefits of Treatment Outweigh Putative Reproductive Risks.

An animal model has implicated elevated levels of tissue factor (TF), and resultant hypercoagulability and inflammation, as key factors in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and has demonstrated that pravastatin is effective in treating this condition. In this study, we have re-evaluated the contraindication of statins during pregnancy. Evaluation has shown that while animal testing (at maternally toxic doses) and case reports of birth defects have led to the contraindication of statins during pregnancy, our controlled study, similar to previously published controlled studies, has failed to demonstrate increased fetal risks. As well, we demonstrated that transfer of pravastatin across the placenta is likely limited. While short term suspension of therapy during gestation is considered safe, extended time without therapy is detrimental to cardiovascular health. Coupled with a trend of elevated TF levels in women with RPL, reconsideration of the contraindication of statins is warranted based on appropriate risk: benefit assessment.

Keywords: Statins
Pregnancy
Advisor: Koren, Gideon
Auction Design for Secondary Spectrum Markets

Opportunistic wireless channel access by non-licensed users has emerged as a promising solution for addressing the bandwidth scarcity challenge. In this thesis, we first design both a deterministic heuristic auction and a randomized auction with a provable performance bound with the guarantee of truthfulness, for networked secondary users. We then turn our attention to mobility support for the secondary users. We introduce two-dimensional bids that reflect a secondary user's willingness to pay for exclusive and nonexclusive channel usage, for the single-channel and multiple-channel scenarios, under which we prove their performances under desired equilibria, respectively. We also devise core-selecting auctions in a combinatorial setting, where secondary users can submit flexible preferences on channels. These auctions can resolve VCG's vulnerability to collusion and shill bidding, and improves seller revenue.

Keywords: Spectrum auction
Game theory
Advisor: Li, Baochun
Block-based Adaptive Mesh Refinement Finite-volume Scheme for Hybrid Multi-block Meshes

A block-based adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) finite-volume scheme is developed for solution of hyperbolic conservation laws on two-dimensional hybrid multi-block meshes. A Godunov-type upwind finite-volume spatial-discretization scheme, with piecewise limited linear reconstruction and Riemann-solver based flux functions, is applied to the quadrilateral cells of a hybrid multi-block mesh and these computational cells are embedded in either body-fitted structured or general unstructured grid partitions of the hybrid grid. A hierarchical quadtree data structure is used to allow local refinement of the individual subdomains based on heuristic physics-based refinement criteria. An efficient and scalable parallel implementation of the proposed algorithm is achieved via domain decomposition. The performance of the proposed scheme is demonstrated through application to solution of the compressible Euler equations for a number of flow configurations and regimes in two space dimensions. The efficiency of the AMR procedure and accuracy, robustness, and scalability of the hybrid mesh scheme are assessed.

Keywords: upwind finite-volume methods
adaptive mesh refinement (AMR)
block-based hybrid mesh
domain decomposition
Advisor: Groth, Clinton P. T.
Investigation of the Regulation of the Lysine Decarboxylase LdcI Activity by the Alarmone ppGpp and MoxR Family AAA+ ATPase RavA

The lysine-dependent acid stress response system in Escherichia coli protects the cells under moderately acidic conditions. It consists of LdcI, the inducible lysine decarboxylase and CadB, the lysine-cadaverine antiporter. LdcI interacts with both ppGpp, the signalling molecule in the stringent response, and RavA, a MoxR-family AAA+ protein induced in the stationary phase. Experiments in vitro have shown that ppGpp inhibits the activity of LdcI and that the interaction between LdcI and RavA antagonizes the inhibition. In this work, it was demonstrated, by using a media shift assay, that the antagonistic regulation of RavA and ppGpp of LdcI activity also takes place in vivo, thereby linking acid resistance to the stringnent response. As part of this study, components of the lysine decarboxylase pathway and the ravA-viaA operon were endogenously tagged with fluorescent proteins. These strains are useful tools to study the localization behaviour of these proteins under different stress conditions.

Keywords: LdcI
ppGpp
Advisor: Houry, Walid A.
Restrictions on Moral Rights – A Comparative Study on Its Legislation and Application in Civil Law and Common Law Jurisdictions

At first sight in copyright, moral rights seem to form a less significant part compared with economic rights. However, new technology has strongly overwhelmed traditional moral rights regime and consequently, inherent but concealed conflicts between moral rights and other legitimate interests have become increasingly prominent. Notwithstanding recognition of moral rights doctrine shows much unevenness both theoretically and in legislation with different jurisdictions in the world, the rush of economic and informational globalization has prompted the convergence of sentiment on moral rights worldwide. There can be no doubt that the essence of copyright, whether moral part or economic part, is to keep a “balance”. How to strike such a balance in moral rights system is thus becoming the main task of this thesis. Drawing from typical countries’ legislation, this thesis applies a restrictive perspective, to depict the picture of a “balanced” moral rights regime to fit in current trend of globalization.

Keywords: Moral Rights Restrictions
Comparative Approach
Moral Rights Restrictions Legislation
"Balance" Theory
Advisor: Abraham, Drassinower
The Future of China's Climate Change Policy: Where to Go?

This article aims to discuss China’s possible future climate change policy after the 2011 Durban Conference. Before engaging in a discussion on China’s future policy, a brief review of China’s climate change policy before the Durban Conference, as well as the logic behind the making of China’s stance will firstly be investigated. Furthermore, this article also makes inquiries into the implications of the Durban outcomes, and then discusses China’s position during the transitional period of 2012-2020. Additionally, the article analyses China’s climate change stance in future climate negotiations in a post-2020 era and the key domestic measures that China will take to cut its carbon emissions after 2020. In conclusion, the article reveals that China’s real significance for global climate action in future is not coming through an international regime, but through the global importance of its domestic measures.

Keywords: China
Climate Change Policy
Advisor: Brunnee, Jutta
Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Fuel Aging on Combustion Performance and Emissions of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Liquid-Ethanol Blends in a Swirl Burner

Biomass fast pyrolysis liquid is a renewable fuel for stationary heat and power generation; however degradation of bio-oil by time, a.k.a. aging, has an impact on combustion performance and emissions. Moreover, the temperature at which bio-oil is stored has a strong effect on the degradation process. In this study, the same biooil-ethanol blends with different storage conditions are tested in a pilot stabilized spray burner under the same flow conditions. Measurements were made of the steady state gas phase emissions and particulate matter, as well as visual inspection of flame stability. The results confirm a relationship between room temperature storage time and storage at higher temperatures (accelerated aging). They also show that fuel aging increases the emissions of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbon and the organic fraction of particulate matter. These emissions increase more rapidly as more time is allocated for aging. NOx emission shows a slight decrease with fuel aging.

Keywords: Fuel Aging
Combustion
Emissions
Pyrolysis Liquid
Advisor: Thomson, Murray J.
FusionSim: Characterizing the Performance Benefits of Fused CPU/GPU Systems

We present FusionSim, a modeling framework capable of cycle-accurate simulation of a complete x86-based computer system with (a) a CPU and a GPU on the same die, and (b) a CPU and a GPU connected as separate components. We use FusionSim to characterize the performance of the Rodinia benchmarks on fused and discrete systems. We demonstrate that the speed-up due to fusion is highly correlated with the input data size. We demonstrate that for benchmarks that benefit most from fusion, a 9.72x speed-up is possible for small problem sizes. This speedup reduces to 1.84x with medium problem sizes. We study a software-managed coherence solution for the fused system. We find that it imposes a minor performance overhead of 2% for most benchmarks. Finally, we develop an analytical model for the performance benefit that is to be expected from fusion and show that FusionSim follows the predicted performance trend.

Keywords: fusionsim
fused system
Advisor: Moshovos, Andreas
Retrospective Review of Dental Local Anesthetic in the United Kingdom

Background: While local anesthetics are essential drugs in dentistry, risks such as paresthesia are associated with their use. The purpose of this study was to analyze the reported paresthesia cases in the United Kingdom. Methods: Voluntary reports of paresthesia from local anesthetic use between 1998 and 2008 obtained from UK’s Yellow Card Scheme were examined. Statistical significance was tested using the Chi-Square analysis, comparing expected frequencies of paresthesia based on the UK dental anesthetic sales data, to the observed reports of paresthesia. Results: Of the 44 reported cases of paresthesia, 85% of the cases involved the mandible with the lingual nerve being the most often affected. The frequency of observed paresthesia associated with 4% articaine solution, was 5.9 times greater than expected (χ2, p<0.0001). Conclusions: These data suggest that paresthesia after the injection of local anesthetic in dentistry is rare, yet more likely to occur if a 4% solution is used.

Keywords: Paresthesia
local anesthetic
Advisor: Haas, Daniel
The Impact of Vitamin B6 Deficiency on the Angiogenic Response to Ischemia In Vivo and In Vitro

B vitamins are of interest in preventative and protective strategies in cardiovascular disease. However, the safety and efficacy of B vitamins has been questioned. Previous research from this group has demonstrated that B6 supplementation alone or in combination with folic acid and B12 reduces angiogenic response. This study determined the effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on the angiogenic response after ischemia in vivo and in vitro using a rodent model. Results indicated that vitamin B6 deficiency enhanced the early angiogenic response by increasing blood flow in vivo after an ischemic event. In vitro measurements demonstrated that vitamin B6 deficiency influenced endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function and angiogenic growth factor release early after ischemia. In conclusion, B6 deficiency appears to have a modest effect on increasing blood flow and angiogenic markers after ischemia. Additional research is needed to further characterize the impact of lowered vitamin B6 on angiogenesis and its mechanisms.

Keywords: Nutrition
Vitamin B6
Advisor: Keith, Mary E.
A Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis on the Safety of Secondary Infusions

Secondary infusions are a common and convenient method to administer intermittent infusions unattended through a single IV access using infusion pump technology. Previous studies have indicated that clinicians have a high frequency of committing operation errors while administering secondary infusions, which can cause patient harm. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of secondary infusion practice by identifying and analyzing potential failure modes when delivering secondary infusions on five different smart infusion pumps. Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) was used to prioritize potential failure modes that are considered high-risk for each pump. Results showed that four of the five pumps were not able to mitigate physical set-up errors. As well, each pump contributed differently to programming errors due to difference in interface design. Recommendations from this study focused on outlining desired infusion pump features and mitigation strategies to help alleviate high-risk secondary infusion failure modes.

Keywords: HFMEA
human factors
secondary infusion
piggyback infusion
intravenous medication safety
smart infusion pump
Advisor: Easty, Anthony
Trbovich, Patricia
Development and Error Analysis of a Conrad Probe for Measurements of 2D Velocity in a Laminar Boundary Layer

The present study proposes to use a Conrad probe for transient growth study by measuring the two-dimensional velocity behind an array of roughness elements in the Blasius boundary layer. A look-up table approach is proposed to increase the accuracy of the data reduction process at low velocities, based on the results of the calibration performed in a round jet. A velocity correction method is proposed to minimize the errors due to high velocity shear and wall-proximity in the Blasius boundary layer by comparing Conrad probe results to previous hot-wire data. Measurements of the steamwise velocity perturbation obtained with the Conrad probe agree with previous studies. The measured spanwise perturbation confirms the transport process suggested by simulation. The results show that the perturbation amplitude increases by increasing both the freestream velocity and roughness elements height. However, the mechanism for changing the perturbation amplitude of influence differs for these two parameters.

Keywords: Conrad probe
two-dimensional velocity measurements
transient growth
look-up table method
velocity correction
laminar boundary layer
Advisor: Lavoie, Philippe