VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Life Cycle Assessment – Life Cycle Cost Model for Concrete using Analytical Hierarchy Process

The goal of this research is to develop a methodology for identifying the most sustainable concrete mix design based on environmental and economic sustainability. Life cycle cost (LCC) model along with a repair schedule was developed. Functional units that better represent the functional properties of concrete were incorporated in the life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis using concrete’s time to first repair (TFR) and repair schedule. A hybrid LCA-LCC model was developed using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to combine LCA and LCC parameters together for comparison of mix designs. It was observed that the TFR was the most crucial factor in the LCC and LCA analysis. The hybrid LCA-LCC model allocates a higher priority to TFR as a performance indicator of concrete. Use of supplementary cementing materials (SCM) in concrete increases TFR, resulting in lower LCC, lower LCA results, and higher preference through the hybrid model, than for concrete without SCM.

Keywords: Analytical Hierarchy Process
Concrete
Functional Unit
Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Cost
Service Life
Advisor: Panesar, Daman K
Fibrinogen Like Protein 2 (FGL2): A Novel Regulator of Macrophage M1 Polarization

Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) is a potent immunosuppressive molecule. The effects of FGL2 on macrophages, however, has not been studied. Peritoneal cell accumulation in fgl2-/-, fgl2+/+ and fgl2Tg mice in response to thioglycollate was measured. Significantly fewer cells were recovered from the peritoneal cavity of fgl2Tg mice compared to fgl2+/+ or fgl2-/- mice after thioglycollate injection. The difference in cell numbers was found to be due to decreased eosinophil accumulation in fgl2Tg mice. The effect of FGL2 on macrophage M1 and M2 polarization was next examined. IL-12 was significantly reduced in macrophages isolated from fgl2Tg mice. Addition of recombinant FGL2 protein to fgl2+/+ macrophages led to suppression of IL-12 production in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, Flow cytometric analysis of fgl2Tg macrophages revealed reduced expression of TLR4 as well as decreased phagocytosis. These data demonstrate that FGL2 inhibits the proinflammatory activity of macrophages and provides a rationale for developing anti-FGL2 therapies.

Keywords: FGL2
Immunology
Macrophage
Polarization
Advisor: Levy, Gary A
Synthesis and Characterization of EGFR-Targeted Immunoporphysomes

Many nanosized drug delivery systems rely on the phenomena of enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect for their accumulation at the tumor site. However, recent clinical data suggest that passive accumulation of nanomedicines observed in animal models does not always translate to patients, because the tumor biology in humans is much more complex and heterogeneous. By contrast, active targeting strategies, which involve modifying the surface of nanoparticles with targeting ligands, can theoretically reduce off-target effects and increase tumor accumulation. In this study, cetuximab was conjugated to the surface of porphysomes, which is a liposome-like nanovesicle self-assembled from porphyrin lipids. This nanoparticle exhibits structurally dependent properties that enable fluorescence imaging, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy applications. By functionalizing porphysomes with targeting ligands, the particles will be actively taken up by the target cells, thereby improving the efficacy of the payload.

Keywords: cetuximab
EGFR
multimodal imaging agent
nanoparticle
porphyrins
porphysomes
Advisor: Zheng, Gang
High-throughput screening uncovers novel compounds that can activate strigolactone receptors in Arabidopsis thaliana and Striga hermonthica

Strigolactones (SLs) are a new collection of small molecule hormones that control shoot and root architecture in vascular plants. Unfortunately, SLs have been co-opted as a germination cue enabling parasitic plants of the genus Striga to coordinate their life cycles with their host plants. In sub-Saharan Africa, Striga has infested up to two- thirds of the arable land. A high-throughput chemical screen (HTS) could identify potent and inexpensive SL mimics that could be used to combat Striga infestation. I have developed a germination assay using transgenic Arabidopsis ShHTL7 seeds for HTS of SL agonists and screened 4182 chemical compounds. Five lead compounds were identified that germinate this line. Of these five leads one compound, which I later named Subhatrene (SAT) was found to act through the DWARF14-LIKE2 (DLK2) α/β hydrolase. Little is known about the function of DLK2 in plants but my results suggest this gene has roles in seed germination.

Advisor: McCourt, Peter
Optimal Active Control of Structures Using a Screw Jack Device and Linear Quadratic Gaussian Controller

A screw jack is a device which converts input torque into amplified axial force, capitalizing on the device's gearbox mechanism. Traditionally used in auto repair shops, the screw jack has been adapted for the first time for active structural control. The dynamic properties of the device were investigated using open loop control, and the screw jack was found to have a high delay between command and measured force. Numerical simulations and parametric studies of SDOF systems with an LQG-controlled screw jack showed improvements to structural performance at 4 different levels of control effort. Loop simulation method experiments were conducted under seven ground motion records - benefits to structural response were dependent on the type of earthquake, with greater benefits for earthquakes with more low-frequency content. Future work should investigate the types of structures and earthquakes for which the screw jack is most impactful using real-time hybrid simulation.

Keywords: active control
earthquake engineering
linear quadratic gaussian
screw jack
structural control
vibration control
Advisor: Mercan, Oya
Impact of Anxiety on Executive Functioning in Aggressive Children

Granic (2014) proposed that the effectiveness of interventions may be affected by aggressive children’s anxiety before entering the program. Lamm, Granic, Zelazo, Lewis (2011) found that children with both aggressive and anxious problems self-regulate differently from children with only aggressive behaviours. To explore this further, this study compares a group of children exhibiting both aggressive and anxious behaviour to a group of children that exhibit only aggressive behaviour as well as a group of children without aggressive behaviour on their performance of three executive functioning tasks. The results indicated that while aggressive only children differed from the non-aggressive children on a measure of working memory, there were no differences between the aggressive only children and comorbid aggressive and anxious children on the three measures of executive functioning.

Keywords: aggression
anxiety
comorbidity
conduct problems
disruptive behaviour problems
executive functioning
Advisor: Lee, Kang
URBAN EDUCATION AND EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY: THE CASE FOR A CULTURALLY PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO EDUCATION IN URBAN SCHOOLS

Black American students continue to lag behind White Americans in measures of academic achievement. In this thesis, I make the case that the achievement gap and lack of social mobility faced by African American students can be attributed to the fact that urban schools have not set the conditions for equality of opportunity. I argue that the crux of the problem is mainly cultural; specifically, that the home culture of students is not utilized in the classroom, nor is the dominant culture explicitly taught in order to impart priceless cultural capital. To get closer to achieving equality of opportunity, I am proposing an approach I call “culturally pragmatic education.” This approach brings the home culture of students into the classroom and also incorporates cultural capital into the curriculum; thereby allowing students to maintain cultural integrity, while at the same time acquiring the cultural tools needed for success in mainstream society.

Keywords: Cultural Capital
Cultural Literacy
Culturally Pragmatic Education
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Equality of Opportunity
Urban Education
Advisor: Trifonas, Peter
Privacy and Security of Personal Health Information: A Novel User-­Centric Approach

Privacy and security are highly important to prevent unauthorized access to personal health information (PHI). However, there is currently limited information on clinicians’ experience with privacy and security-related tools and processes. This study took a user-centric approach in identifying the impact of current privacy and security-related tools and processes on clinicians’ workflow in different practice settings. This exploratory study involved the analysis of clinical workflow observations and semi-structured interviews. The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patients Safety (SEIPS) framework was used to evaluate the potential incompatibility between the healthcare work system components as they relate to PHI. The results demonstrated four main themes of privacy and security challenges and associated workarounds: hybridization, authentication, authorization, and device management and environmental controls. Also, the challenges and associated workarounds varied as a function of the practice settings where clinicians worked. To optimize clinicians’ experience with PHI privacy and security, system-level practice interventions are recommended.

Keywords: EHR
Electronic Health Records
Personal Health Information
PHI
Privacy and security
SEIPS
Advisor: Trbovich, Patricia
Rossos, Peter
Performance of Green Roof Integrated Solar Photovoltaics in Toronto

Green (vegetated) roofs and solar photovoltaics are among a range of solutions intended to meet environmental sustainability targets and transition to low-carbon communities. In urban environments, they are means to integrate onsite stormwater management and renewable energy. Research shows that the evaporative cooling from green roofs helps to keep photovoltaics near best operational temperature, while proving that vegetation can survive under variable shade and precipitation conditions. This study evaluated photovoltaic surface temperature and power output at two heights (2 and 4 ft.) from two high-performance roof surface types, green and high-albedo (white) roof membrane, at the University of Toronto’s GRIT Lab. Photovoltaic surface temperature and power output showed dependence on height and surface type. Higher separation (4 ft.) allowed for increased biomass, improved cooling effects, and an increase in power output. This short-term study showed a successful integration of both technologies, and hence a viable option for green building practices. الأسطح الخضراء (النباتية) والضوئية الشمسية هي من بين مجموعة من الحلول التي تهدف إلى تحقيق أهداف الاستدامة البيئية والانتقال إلى المجتمعات منخفضة الكربون. في البيئات الحضرية، هي وسيلة لدمج إدارة مياه الأمطار وتوليد الطاقة المتجددة في الموقع. تبين البحوث أن التبريد التبخيري من الأسطح الخضراء يساعد على إبقاء الخلايا الكهروضوئية بالقرب من أفضل درجة حرارة تشغيلية، مع إثبات أن الغطاء النباتي يمكن أن يبقى على قيد الحياة تحت ظلال وأمطار متغيرة. قيمت هذه الدراسة درجة حرارة الاسطح الكهروضوئية وإنتاج الطاقة على ارتفاعين (2 و 4 قدم) من نوعين من الاسطح، السطح الأخضر و السطح الغشائى عالي الإنعكاس (الأبيض) في مختبر جريت بجامعة تورونتو. أظهرت درجة حرارة الاسطح وإنتاج الطاقة الاعتماد على الارتفاع ونوع السطح. يسمح الفصل ألاعلى (4 قدم) بين الوحدات الضوئية والسطح النباتي بزيادة الكتلة الحيوية، وتحسين آثار التبريد، وزيادة في انتاج الطاقة. وأظهرت هذه الدراسة قصيرة الأجل اندماجا ناجحا بين الخلايا الكهروضوئية الشمسية وأنظمة الأسطح الخضراء، وبالتالي خيارا صالحا لممارسات البناء الأخضر.

Keywords: Engineering
Green
Photovoltaic
Roof
Solar
Sustainability
Advisor: Drake, Jennifer
Theoretical Basis of Human Sensory and Motor Processing in Simple Reaction Time Tasks

Simple reaction time (SRT) is the minimum time taken to make a motor response given a sensory stimulus. Studies on SRT help uncover pathways by which sensory and motor processing take place. A theoretical framework based on the entropy of the stimulus has been used to derive an equation governing SRT. This thesis explores the efficacy of this SRT model. The derived equation generates accurate predictions not only for reaction time, but also for threshold experiments governing the tradeoff between stimulus duration and intensity. The results from both experiments can be described by equations derived from the entropy model using the same set of parameters. The results of this study not only provide a promising method for studying sensorimotor integration, it also demonstrates the ability of the entropy model to unify both sensory and motor processes.

Keywords: Entropy
Perception
Psychophysics
Simple reaction time
Theoretical modelling
Threshold detection
Advisor: Wong, Willy
Norwich, Kenneth H
Performance Dependent Parameters of a Liposome Formulation of a Hydrophobic Drug

MLN-4924 is a newly discovered potent compound that works on the ubiquitin pathway and is currently being evaluated in Phase I, II, III clinical trials for treatment of a variety of malignancies. This compound has also shown potential preclinical value for the treatment of retinoblastoma, a malignant tumor that usually originates in the retina in young children. However, its limited aqueous solubility prevents reproducible intravitreal administration at therapeutic doses for the treatment of retinoblastoma. In previous studies, the poor stability of MLN-4924 was addressed by use of DMSO, cyclodextrin and dextrose. However, these studies could only improve the solubility of MLN-4924 by a modest amount and resulted in formulations with a limited payload, burst release profile or poor stability. In this research, we designed a stable liposome formulation of MLN-4924 that encapsulates a higher therapeutic payload of this drug and has physicochemical characteristics that make it amenable to intravitreal administration.

Advisor: Allen, Christine
Toward the patient-centred development of cancer therapeutics: A focus on nanomedicines

Inspired by early work indicating nanometre-scale macromolecules can accumulate in tumours, nanomedicines were developed with intentions of improving cancer-killing efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity typical of traditional chemotherapies. This research first evaluates evidence provided to FDA and EMA regulators in order for cancer nanomedicines to be granted marketing approval, and then consults mature clinical data via health technology assessments to synthesize judgments of clinical benefit with respect to overall survival, safety, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Findings indicate that every marketed cancer nanomedicine— eight of nine being liposome technologies—demonstrates comparative clinical benefit on at least one dimension, that improvements in overall survival frequently come at the expense of safety, and that HRQOL is generally conserved or improved versus comparator therapies. Sparse data and inconsistency in HRQOL reporting practices were major deficiencies among the documents consulted and represent key barriers to providing patients evidence that can inform treatment decision-making.

Keywords: Cancer
Chemotherapy
Drug delivery
Nanomedicine
Quality of life
Regulatory
Advisor: Allen, Christine J.
Cardiotonic Steroids Suppress Adenovirus Replication

Human adenoviruses are common pathogens that can cause life-threatening illness, yet no approved therapies are available for treatment. This work shows that two cardiotonic steroids, digoxin and digitoxin, inhibit adenovirus replication in A549 lung carcinoma cells beyond immediate early E1A expression, with reduced expression of subsequent early regions E1B, E2B and E4. This alteration in viral gene expression leads to a block in genome replication that in turn prevents late gene expression. Nuclear changes characteristic of early infection were observed in treated, infected cells. E1A expression can be reduced if cells are pre-treated with drug provided that the drug is maintained on the cells after infection. The antiviral effect is abrogated by increased extracellular concentration of potassium. Digoxin and digitoxin also inhibit adenovirus replication in primary human nasal epithelial cells. This work supports the idea that cardiotonic steroids could be developed as antiviral agents for adenovirus infections.

Keywords: adenovirus
anti-viral therapy
cardiotonic steroids
Advisor: Brown, Martha
Cochrane, Alan
Understanding the Experiences of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Ontario, Canada: A Qualitative Study

In recent decades, Canada has employed a neoliberal approach to its immigration strategy. Numerous, highly-skilled immigrants, including International Medical Graduates (IMGs), have been granted entry under this system. IMGs are crucial to Canada’s physician workforce (i.e. 40% in rural areas). However, only 10% of IMGs will become licensed (CaRMS, 2014). The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act was created to help tackle systemic barriers to licensure. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of IMGs in Ontario as they navigate the licensure process. A qualitative research design was employed. I conducted in-depth interviews with twelve IMGs. The overarching theme of this research was that the licensure process was perceived as unfair (procedurally unfair, partial and inequitable) and that it causes social suffering. Unfairness was noted through barriers of: a lack of transparency and inaccessibility of information, age, gender, class and a lack of “Canadian experience” as hidden criteria to licensure.

Keywords: critical theory
fairness
globalization
internationally trained physicians
neoliberalism
qualitative research
Advisor: Austin, Zubin
A Preliminary Exploration of Students' Perceptions of Their Own Learning

Students acquire knowledge in the classroom from a variety of sources, such as the teacher, learning activities and the academic environment. Yet, there is limited research on student perceptions of their own learning in the classroom. This study is a preliminary investigation of how students aged 8 to 12 think they learn best in the classroom. A sample of 229 students answered the question 'how do you learn best at school?' Out of the 229 responses, 210 responses were used. Thematic analysis was used to examine student answers. The results demonstrated that students were able to recognize different relationships within the classroom that help them learn best. Areas defined include classroom tools, classroom management, and student readiness. Findings support that students were aware of their classroom environment and how it can affect their learning, whether it be in a positive or negative manner.

Keywords: classroom
elementary
student learning
student readiness
technology
Thematic analysis
Advisor: Volpe, Richard
The Effect of Vincetoxicum rossicum on The Functional Diversity of Meadow and Understory Ecosystems

Increased globalization has led to the movement and spread of species around the world, and these species have the potential to profoundly alter ecosystems. These invasions often result in negative ecological, economic, and human health impacts. Vincetoxicum. rossicum is found in several ecosystems such as open meadows and understory, however very little is known about how it impacts communities. I hypothesized that V.rossicum would occupy similar niche space to that of the resident species and, due to both fitness and niche differences, impact community structure. In an observational field study conducted in the Rouge National Urban Park; Canada’s first national urban park, I found that in the meadow ecosystem V.rossicum has high niche overlap and is selecting for exotic species to become more abundant. However, in the understory ecosystem niche overlap couldn’t be confirmed however, resident species are becoming increasingly specialized in order to avoid direct competition with V.rossicum.

Keywords: fitness differences
Functional Diversity
Invasion
niche differences
plant invasion
Vincetoxicum rossicum
Advisor: Cadotte, Marc W
EXPLORING THE POWER AND LIMITS OF TRASIENT-BASED FAULT DETECTION IN SIMPLE PIPE SYSTEM

Transient-based fault detection methods in pipe systems are attractive for they promise low cost and wide detectable range comparing with other commercialized method. This thesis presents the theory and strategies of the system response method for transient-based fault detection in simple pipe systems, considering and contrasting the analysis conducted in the time and the frequency domains. The numerical simulation is conducted for a simple pipe system with various numbers and types of faults. The fault detection process consists of extracting the system response functions and analyzing the fault-induced patterns. The methods are numerically validated under simple system conditions, and the possibility for applying the methods to more complex pipe networks and to real pipe systems is also investigated. This thesis provides a factual summary of what has been shown and demonstrated to date, along with a more speculative set of reflections about the possible challenges associated with further research and application.

Advisor: Karney, Bryan W
Cancer associated fibroblasts promote the invasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in TRACER cultures

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major cellular component of the tumour stroma and have been demonstrated to promote tumour invasion. However, most in vitro tumour models used to explore the ability of CAFs to promote invasion lack physiological representation or are difficult to analyze. Here, we use TRACER, a novel paper multilayered tumour model, to explore the contribution of CAFs on the invasion of two head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. In this thesis, we demonstrate that multiple patient derived CAF lines promote the invasion of tumour cells in TRACER. Furthermore, we identify remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as the mechanism by which CAFs promote this invasion for one HNSCC cell line. We have demonstrated that the TRACER platform will be a valuable tool for further exploration of tumour-CAF interactions in the context of tumour invasion.

Advisor: McGuigan, Alison P
A Double-Edged Fork: Motivating and De-Motivating Pro-Environmental Food Behavior

Climate change is a consequence of human behavior, but people tend to construe climate change as an unfathomable, abstract phenomenon that is irrelevant to their individual actions. In the present studies, the high-impact, underrepresented behavior of dietary choices was communicated with numerical information that varied in its frame of reference. We present initial evidence that presenting the footprint of human behavior at a global level, compared to at an individual level, demoralizes individual choices and weakens behavioral intentions to change diet. In addition, we find that participants reported reductions in their meat consumption when an implementation intention intervention was combined with our ‘frame of reference’ intervention. Presenting nation-wide consequences of human behavior is a double-edged sword: Framing in a large scale might reveal the relationship between collective actions and environmental issues, but it hinders the belief that individual actions make a difference.

Keywords: climate change
framing
pro-enviornmental behavior
self-efficacy
Advisor: Plaks, Jason E