VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Development of a tethered, high-altitude, rigid-wing platform

A tethered, high-altitude, rigid-wing, platform (scTHARWP) was studied as a possible improvement over the helium-filled, tethered aerostats currently in use for positioning payloads at a specified altitude. The possible gains associated with implementing the scTHARWP were increased operating altitude, improved positioning accuracy, and reduced operating cost. An equilibrium analysis was developed to evaluate the trim-state and the feasibility of the scTHARWP. The scTHARWP was composed of a tether and a flight vehicle. In most research of previous tethered systems, the dynamic motions of the tether were neglected or minimally accounted for in the formulation of the dynamic stability analysis. Unlike these previous analyses, the scTHARWP stability analysis was based on a discrete-element tether model which allowed the evaluation of the tether motion and its interaction with the flight vehicle motion. The scTHARWP design was then optimized for the maximum trim-state altitude as well as the most stable dynamic response. Although the optimized scTHARWP was naturally stable, its stability characteristics were further enhanced by the inclusion of control gains which defined the behaviour of the scTHARWP'S control system. Finally, the implementation of the control system was discussed along with recommendations for how to improve upon the final control system.
Resting metabolic rate in women with early stage breast cancer

Women with breast cancer (BC) typically gain 2-6 kg of body weight following diagnosis. The reason for this is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether women with early-stage BC (EBC) experienced reduced resting metabolic rates (RMR). Comparisons were made to healthy women and women recovering from BC. No differences in measures of RMR relative to fat free mass (FFM) ((27 $\pm$ 1 kcal/kg/d); using bioelectrical impedance) were observed among the groups. Reassessment of RMR in EBC women 6 months after participating in a weight management program showed no RMR change. However, known predictors of RMR strongly correlated with RMRs of the Control group but not with those of EBC and the group recovering from breast cancer (RBC). This may suggest that unaccounted factors influenced RMR in BC. Moreover, despite reductions in dietary intake and maintenance of walking programs, EBC subjects only remained weight stable at 6 months.
Numerical analysis of pressure-based coupled heat and moisture flow in unsaturated porous media using the integrated finite difference method

An Integrated Finite Difference (IFD) technique is developed to solve the governing differential equations of the pressure-based model for transient coupled heat and moisture transfer in unsaturated porous media. The technique accommodates complex geometries, wide variation of nonlinear material properties, and Neuman and Dirichlet boundary conditions. A computer code, TRUCHAMP, which incorporates the IFD formulation is presented. Validation of the program has been made by producing mass and energy conservative solutions. Additionally, comparison of results obtained from the TRUCHAMP with those generated by independently developed numerical models yielded excellent correlation. With proper characterization of the material properties and boundary conditions, TRUCHAMP can be employed as a useful tool in assessing the thermal and hydraulic response of the prototype disposal vault for high-level nuclear waste. This program will be useful in solving many heat and mass transport problems encountered in the field of heat storage and underground power cables.
Multigrid acceleration of an approximately-factored algorithm for steady aerodynamic flows

The usefulness of any Navier-Stokes solver is directly related to the speed at which it converges. Multigrid has proven to be effective in dramatically reducing solution times for a range of solvers. In this thesis, the application of multigrid to an approximately-factored implicit Navier-Stokes solver for airfoils is discussed. Optimization of the solver and the multigrid process is carried out. The best type of cycle, restriction method, and number of smoothing passes at each level is determined. Six test cases are used to ensure the robustness of multigrid. Compared to a single-grid solver, a multigrid solver converges to steady state in one-quarter to one-sixth the time.
Evaluation of six methods to estimate Giardia inactivation, a comparison with respect to chemical requirements, DBP formation, and DBP-related health risks

The objective of this research was to assess the significance of the choice of method used to estimate the disinfection capabilities at a water treatment plant, with respect to chemical requirements, disinfection by-products, and health risk. Methods were compared to an approach advocated in the Surface Water Treatment Rule employing the CxT product as a surrogate for microbial protection in the absence of direct pathogen monitoring. Methods differed by how contact time was defined, how disinfectant concentration was characterized, and how the inactivation of Giardia by chlorine and/or chloramines was modeled. The choice of method was more critical when disinfecting under increasingly stringent conditions, such as at winter temperatures or when short contact times are available. The magnitude of reductions in chemical requirements or DBP formation attributable to the various assumptions was a function of water quality characteristics at the point of disinfectant addition, available contact time, and disinfectant concentration.
Load induced microcracking and its effects on the air permeability of mortar

Very little work has been reported on directly relating mechanical response with durability response. The objective of this thesis was to fill this gap by correlating the change in permeability with an increasing uniaxial load on mortar cylinders. To facilitate this, a uniaxial compression test was conducted simultaneously with an air permeability test. An apparatus was designed which would allow for such a test. The main components of the apparatus involved two specially designed permeability platens, strain gauges, RTV (room temperature vulcanised rubber) Pena-Seal (an epoxy) and an outer PVC shell. It was concluded that permeability remains unaffected until a threshold level is reached, after which the permeability increases until failure. Additionally, since these threshold levels are so high, load induced microcracking will not affect actual concrete structures. It was recommended that microcracking caused by other processes such as shrinkage and corrosion be studied for their effects on permeability.
Molecular cloning, insertional inactivation and characterization of the cyanate lyase gene from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942

A 4.45 kb region of genomic DNA was isolated from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942 by means of screening subgenomic plasmid and phage libraries. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this region identified four open reading frames. ORF146 is 441 bp in length, coding for a protein of 146 amino acids that had 43% sequence identity to cynS from Escherichia coli. The deduced amino acid sequence of the three open reading frames upstream of ORF146 showed significant sequence identity to proteins that are members of ABC transport systems. Insertional inactivation of ORF146 using an antibiotic resistance gene cassette produced a strain (CS1) that was unable to metabolize cyanate. In particular, the CS1 strain was unable to support cyanate-dependent O$\sb2$ evolution or chlorophyll a fluorescence quenching and did not produce CO$\sb2$ when presented with cyanate. Insertional inactivation of the first gene of the putative ABC transport group (ORF440) yielded a strain (CA1) that exhibited a phenotype similar to that of CS1. Northern hybridization analysis identified two ORF146 transcript, one that was $\sim$0.5 kb and a larger transcript of $\sim$3.9 kb. These results provide molecular and physiological evidence for the identification of the cyanate lyase gene (cynS) from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942. Furthermore, these results indicate that the four genes identified form an operon.
A vectorizing SUIF compiler, implementation and performance

Desktop computers are increasingly used for DSP, multi-media, and data visualization applications. These codes contain a high degree of loop level parallelism, which cannot be fully exploited by superscalar processors. Vector architectures are a viable alternative for increasing workstation performance. Vector architectures require more compiler support to exploit the available parallelism in a program than superscalar architectures do. Development effort thus shifts from hardware to compiler design. This thesis describes the development of a vectorizing compiler, implemented in SUIF, capable of targeting a wide variety of vector architectures. The development of a code generator for the T0 vector-microprocessor is also discussed. Performance of T0-like vector processors on a set of multimedia and data-filter applications is also shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the compiler and to show the applicability of vector architectures to multi-media applications and other common work loads.
Determination of iron & iodine absorption from iron and iodine double-fortified salt

A table salt, fortified with iron (Fe) and iodine (I), would be useful in areas where Fe and I deficiencies coexist, however, interactions between the two minerals prevent their simultaneous use as fortificants. A method has been developed to coat I with dextran (dex) such that Fe and I do not interact. Our objective was to determine the absorption of Fe and I from this salt when provided in meals designed to significantly inhibit or enhance Fe-absorption. Subjects with normal haematologic status (n = 16) ingested the two meals containing 5 g of table salt with 50 $\mu$g of I as potassium iodide and 1 mg of Fe (ferrous fumarate labeled with $\sp{59}$Fe) per g of salt. Measured by whole-body counting, Fe-absorption from the enhancing meal (8.8 $\pm$ 1.8%) was significantly higher than Fe-absorption from the inhibiting meal (1.7 $\pm$ 0.8%) (p $<$ 0.0001). Urinary excretion of iodine baseline and post-ingestion (48 hr before & after) were not significantly different (10.9 $\pm$ 1.5 $\mu$g/dl vs. 13.03 $\pm$ 1.1, p $<$ 0.47), nor was it affected by the two meals. We conclude that dex coated-I was well absorbed and that Fe was also well absorbed but influenced by the composition of the meal.
The significance of clay-oil flocculation processes to oil biodegradation

Clay-oil flocculation, involving the interaction of micron-sized mineral fines with oil droplets, has been shown to be an important natural cleansing process on low-energy shorelines by enhancing dispersion rates of oil into the sea. While oil may be effectively removed from the shoreline by flocculation, the significance of this physico-chemical process on the persistence of the oil dispersed in the ocean is unknown. Our hypothesis is that clay-oil flocculation enhances hydrocarbon degradation rates by preventing the oil from adhering as strongly to solid surfaces and maintaining oil droplets in the water column, thereby increasing the oil-water interface by several orders of magnitude and making the oil more accessible to nutrients, oxygen, and bacterial attack. Shaker flask experiments were conducted over a 63 day period (19$\sp\circ$C) and over a 56 day period (10$\sp\circ$C). Results indicated that bacterial activity was stimulated and both the rate and extent of hydrocarbon degradation was enhanced.
Pre-targeted radioimmunotherapy with streptavidin-CC49 monoclonal antibody and §9§0Y-DOTA-biotin

In this study pre-targeted radioimmunotherapy (RIT) of athymic mice bearing subcutaneous LS174T human colon cancer xenografts was evaluated using streptavidin-CC49 and yttrium-90 ($\sp{90}$Y)-DOTA-biotin. The biodistribution of DOTA-biotin, labeled with indium 111 ($\sp{111}$In), was first investigated in BALB/c mice to determine its suitability for pre-targeting strategies. Indium 111-DOTA-biotin was rapidly eliminated from blood and normal tissues. A dosing schedule was then determined by evaluating different time intervals between the administration of streptavidin-CC49 and DOTA-biotin and doses of DOTA-biotin in mice bearing LS174T colorectal xenografts. Comparison of 40 and 72 hour time intervals indicated that the 40 hour time interval would be the most effective for the pre-targeted RIT study. A comparison of 1, 20, 40, and 150 $\mu$g doses of DOTA-biotin indicated that 40 $\mu$g nearly achieved maximal uptake of DOTA-biotin in the tumour. Using the dosing schedule developed, the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of pre-targeted RIT with 900 $\mu$Ci of $\sp{90}$Y-DOTA-biotin was evaluated in athymic mice bearing LS174T colorectal xenografts. Considerable suppression in tumour growth was observed in 116 treated mice. No apparent bone marrow toxicity and deterioration in health were observed in treated mice. In summary, pre-targeted RIT with streptavidin-CC49 and $\sp{90}$Y-DOTA-biotin demonstrated some promise as an effective and safe approach in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Sol-gel-derived zirconia thin film coatings for Ti-6A1-4V and 316L stainless steel implant applications, a study of zirconia microstructure and the response of the coating-substrate system to applied deformation

In vivo ageing of $\sim$100nm alkoxide-sol-gel-derived zirconia films on Ti-6Al-4V was performed to assess low-temperature degradation of the film and interface. Morphology and crystal structure were unchanged after ageing for up to 12 weeks. Calcium phosphate precipitated onto samples aged in HBSS. Adhesion was investigated using a shear-lag protocol. At $\sim$1.5% strain, cracks in the film were initiated from substrate slip bands. Gross delamination of the coating was not observed. This response was unchanged by ageing. Similarly, cracking of zirconia films on 316L stainless steel was associated with slip bands in the substrate. Delamination of the film was not observed, implying good adhesion. A model was proposed which examines microscopic-scale stress transfer across the film-substrate interface, and suggests why slip-band-induced cracking may occur instead of the transversely oriented cracks predicted by shear-lag analysis. TEM imaging showed that the film was crystalline, composed of $\sim$50nm clusters of $\sim$5nm subgrains.
Acclimation of Anaerobic Systems to Biodegrade Chlorinated Solvents

Microbial acclimation to tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), and carbon tetrachloride (CT) in an anaerobic sand column and in microcosm studies was investigated. The column was inoculated with unacclimated organisms from an anaerobic sludge digester. Initially, ethanol, PCE, TCE, and CT were added to the column. All incoming CT was degraded to chloroform and dichloromethane, while ethanol was transformed to acetate and propionate. With CT in the influent, consumption of PCE, TCE, acetate and propionate did not occur. However, in the absence of other chlorinated compounds, PCE was completely degraded to cis-1,2-DCE in the column within 210 days of inoculation. Yeast extract addition stimulated degradation, with PCE degradation in microcosms occurring within 9 days with 100 mg/L yeast extract, but within 36 days with 2 mg/L. In practice, it appears that propionate degradation capability is essential for systems in which ethanol is used as the electron donor.
Effects of North American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius L., on postprandial glycemia in normal humans

To investigate the effects of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) powder on reducing postprandial glycemia, a glucose challenge of 25 g carbohydrate was used. Capillary blood was collected at fasting, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes after initial consumption of glucose challenge. Ginseng powder (3g, 6g and 9g) with glucose challenge, had no significant effect on blood glucose when compared to glucose alone in healthy individuals (4 males, 4 females). However, when 3g and 6g of ginseng powder were ingested 40 or 80 minutes prior to glucose drink, lower glycemic responses (4 males, 2 females, p $<$ 0.05) were observed. Lower glycemic response also resulted from 9g Panax quinquefolius L. ingested at either 40 minutes (p $<$ 0.01), 80 minutes (p $<$ 0.01), or 120 minutes (p $<$ 0.05) prior to glucose challenge. This glycemic response was not dose dependent. It was concluded that Panax quinquefolius L. lowers postprandial glycemia at levels of 3g, 6g, 9g, and possibly at lower doses, when taken prior to glucose challenge.
1 GHz Programmable Analog Phase Shifter for Adaptive Antennas

Adaptive antennas are currently being considered as a means to improve spectral efficiency of wireless networks. They can be used to spatially separate different mobile user, by forming radiation pattern nulls at the interfering signals. However, the relatively high cost of adaptive antenna systems compared to non-adaptive antennas has hampered their commercial application. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of realizing an integrated circuit that will implement a one GHz programmable analog phase shifter, an important building block of adaptive antenna systems. This could lower the system's cost of adaptive antennas. The programmable analog phase shifter is comprised of a 900 phase shifter, a variable gain amplifier, a summer and a digital-to-analog converter. The resulting chip area is small enough to allow 16 complete phase shifter circuits to be included in a single package, thereby allowing control of an array of 16 antenna elements.
Cloning of SNAP-23, its tissue distribution and subcellular localization in non-neural cells

Correct targeting of proteins to specific cellular compartments is thought to occur via transport vesicles. A current hypothesis proposes that in the nervous system, targeting specificity of synaptic vesicles is achieved by interaction of a vesicle protein (VAMP) and presynaptic plasma membrane proteins (syntaxin and SNAP-25). VAMP and syntaxin isoforms have been identified outside the nervous system, but SNAP-25 expression is restricted to neural and neuroendocrine cells. I hypothesized that functional equivalent(s) of SNAP-25 must exist in non-neural cells to allow intracellular traffic. This Thesis describes the search for a non-neural equivalent of SNAP-25, SNAP-23, by screening a melanoma cDNA library. cDNA clones were isolated, sequenced, and fusion proteins were expressed. With a specific antibody, SNAP-23 was detected in all non-neural tissues and cell lines examined. Subcellular fractionation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes suggested that SNAP-23 was predominantly found at the plasma membrane.
Pharmacists' illness experience and the pharmacist-patient relationship

In this study of 18 pharmacists including 16 women, illness experience and subsequent changes in patient relationships in the pharmacists' professional practices were explored. Three types of illness accounts were identified: (1) minor/acute; (2) chronic; and (3) life-threatening. Four pharmacists transformed their self-identity (Giddens, 1991) and became "empathetic advocates" for their patients as a result of being ill or caring for a family member. One became more sympathetic and seven more empathetic; the other six remained essentially unchanged. Obstacles to the development of empathy included type of illness, lack of social support, self-reflexivity, energy level and working conditions. This study was informed by symbolic interactionism as well as by feminist and other critical approaches; thematic analysis was performed on the interview transcripts which recorded the pharmacists' illness narratives. The thesis concludes by recommending changes in pharmacy education, including exposure to the feminist theory of "relational" caring (Gilligan, 1982).
Surface modification of biomaterials for use as neural stimulators

This thesis focused on the production of noble metal, surface enriched materials for use as neural stimulators. The methodology of enriching the surface of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy with iridium was accomplished by the process of ion-implantation/selective dealloying. Two techniques of dealloying in 1N $\rm H\sb2SO\sb4$ at 30$\sp\circ$C were employed: (i) electrochemically-induced (application of a constant current of 5 $\mu$A/cm$\sp2),$ and (ii) long-term immersion (no applied bias). The electrochemically-induced dealloying process produced a maximum surface enrichment of 6% Ir before the surface passivated. This passivation prevented further dissolution of titanium and retarded the enrichment process. The 10 day immersion-dealloying process produced surfaces of ca. 70% Ir. The corrosion resistance of the immersion-dealloyed materials was also investigated by anodic polarization in a solution analogous to the non-organic constituents of the fluids within the human body (Hanks' Physiological solution) at 37$\sp\circ$C. They showed corrosion characteristics similar to those of pure Ir. The charge injection densities and surface stabilities of the new materials were determined by cyclic voltammetry. Charge transfer data indicated that after short testing times, the dealloyed samples had charge transfer characteristics equal to or slightly above those of pure Ir. During extensive cycling the charge injection densities of the Ir-enriched samples continuously decreased to levels well below those of pure Ir. Compositional analysis indicated that the concentration of iridium in the surface was reduced after cycling. Analysis of the results indicated that titanium was diffusing to the surface and passivating during the dynamic potential testing and that these materials were not suitable for use as electrodes.
External surface and porosity of RBC biofilms in leachate pre-treatment

The purpose of this research was to study biofilm characteristics with respect to time and spatial position within a specific treatment process. The Britannia Leachate Treatment Plant (Mississauga, Ontario) was the focus of this study. The treatment train was composed of four separate stages of rotating biological contactors (RBC). The biofilm composition was 40-54% inorganic solids, 8-15% organic and 32-52% water. The biofilm was characterised by analysing its porosity and the ruggedness of its surface. The data were processed using fractal analysis. Boundary fractal dimensions describe the roughness of the surface and these varied from 1.02 to 1.34. Sierpinski fractal dimensions describe the rate the background disappears with increasing resolution, and these varied from 1.932 to 1.974. The fractal dimensions were not affected by sampling time, biofilm thickness and porosity, and spatial position in the treatment process.
Effect of retinoic acid on the cholinergic properties of a neuroblastoma cell line, SN56

The primary objective of this thesis was to compare the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (t-RA) on cholinergic differentiation in proliferating and non-proliferating murine septal neuroblastoma cells (SN56). To develop a model of non-proliferating cells, aphidicolin, a DNA $\alpha$-polymerase inhibitor, was used. Cessation of proliferation by aphidicolin treatment in of itself lead to morphologic (neurite outgrowth) and biochemical (increased acetylcholine (ACh) production) differentiation. Surprisingly, this increase in ACh levels was not associated with an increase in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA or activity. There was an increase in ChAT mRNA and activity and intracellular ACh levels with t-RA treatment in proliferating SN56 cells. However, in non-proliferating cells the increase in ACh levels was not dependent on increased ChAT activity. Therefore, it was concluded that the impact of t-RA on cholinergic components (ChAT activity, and intracellular ACh levels) was different in proliferating and non-proliferating SN56 cells.