VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Determining Optimal Fibre-optic Network Architecture using Bandwidth Forecast, Competitve Market, and Infrastructure-efficienct Models used to Study Last Mile Economics

The study focuses on building a financial model for a telecommunications carrier to guide it towards profitable network investments. The model shows optimal access-network topography by comparing two broadband delivery techniques over fibre technology. The study is a scenario exploration of how a large telecommunication company deploying fibre will see its investment pay off in a Canadian residential market where cable operators are using competing technology serving the same bandwidth hungry consumers. The comparison is made at the last mile by studying how household densities, bandwidth demand, competition, geographic and deployment considerations affect the economics of fibre technology investment. Case comparisons are made using custom models that extend market forecasts to estimate future bandwidth demand. Market uptake is forecasted using sigmoid curves in an environment where competing and older technologies exist. Sensitivity analyses are performed on each fibre technology to assess venture profitability under different scenarios.

Keywords: FTTx
Fibre Optic
Last Mile
Bandwidth
Advisor: Paradi, Joseph C.
Exploring Virtualization Techniques for Branch Outcome Prediction

Modern processors use branch prediction to predict branch outcomes, in order to fetch ahead in the instruction stream, increasing concurrency and performance. Larger predictor tables can improve prediction accuracy, but come at the cost of larger area and longer access delay. This work introduces a new branch predictor design that increases the perceived predictor capacity without increasing its delay, by using a large virtual second-level table allocated in the second-level caches. Virtualization is applied to a state-of-the-art multi- table branch predictor. We evaluate the design using instruction count as proxy for timing on a set of commercial workloads. For a predictor whose size is determined by access delay constraints rather than area, accuracy can be improved by 8.7%. Alternatively, the design can be used to achieve the same accuracy as a non-virtualized design while using 25% less dedicated storage.

Keywords: branch prediction
virtualization
computer architecture
Advisor: Moshovos, Andreas
Familial Inheritance in Congenital Heart Disease: A Focus on Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). The understanding of the genetics and inheritance of TOF is limited. Although about 15% of cases are associated with a 22q11.2 deletion, the majority have no known aetiology. Even in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS), factors that increase the likelihood of CHD expression are poorly understood. We aimed to determine the prevalence and phenotypes of CHD in relatives of adults with TOF. We also investigated the prevalence of CHD in relatives without a 22q11.2 deletion of individuals with 22q11DS. Offspring of patients with TOF had the greatest prevalence of CHD. Diverse cardiac phenotypes, including left heart obstructive lesions, were found in families. We also found that unaffected relatives of individuals with 22q11DS had a greater prevalence of complex CHD over population expectations, suggesting that modifier genetic factors may be involved in expression of CHD in 22q11DS.

Keywords: tetralogy of fallot
inheritance
genetics
22q11 deletion syndrome
congenital heart disease
cyanotic heart disease
Advisor: Silversides, Candice
Bassett, Anne
A Comparison of Folic Acid Pharmacokinetics in Obese and Non-obese Women of Childbearing Age

Obesity in pregnancy has been associated with an elevated risk for neural tube defects, though it is unknown if this is linked to a lower folate status in obese women. Studies have identified a reduced folate status among obese women even after controlling for folate intake. Thus, it is possible that folic acid pharmacokinetics are altered in the obese body. In this study, we compared the pharmacokinetics of folic acid in obese and non-obese women of childbearing age, following administration of a weight-adjusted dose. Area under the concentration-time curve was found to be significantly higher in the obese group, with the dose per kilogram lean body weight most strongly predicting systemic exposure. Estimation of the daily dose required to achieve protective blood concentrations did not identify a need to change supplementation recommendations for obese women. Accordingly, current guidelines appear to suggest adequate doses for obese women of childbearing age.

Keywords: folic acid
obesity
pharmacokinetics
neural tube defects
Advisor: Koren, Gideon
Uncoupling of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) comprises 7% of all stroke cases, and is associated with a disproportionately high morbidity and mortality with few therapeutic options available. The goal of this project was to understand the mechanism of neurological deterioration after experimental SAH, with a focus on cerebral vasospasm and brain injury after SAH. We tested the hypothesis that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is upregulated and uncoupled after SA, resulting in exacerbated neurological injury in a mouse model of SAH. The project entailed the investigation of eNOS-dimer uncoupling, its association with oxidative and nitrosative stress in the brain parenchyma and finally its association with secondary complications after SAH. In our studies we demonstrated the crucial role eNOS plays in anti-microthromboembolism, anti-apoptosis and maintenance of physiological superoxide (O2-)/NO balance. This study suggests that SAH up-regulates and disrupts eNOS, producing peroxynitrite (OONO-) and other radicals that further exacerbate the oxidative insult and neurological injury.

Keywords: eNOS
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Oxidative stress
Stroke
Nitric oxide
Advisor: Macdonald, Robert Loch
Androgen Receptor Expression in Satellite Cells in the Levator Ani of the Rat

The sexual differentiation of the spinal nucleus of bulbocavernosus (SNB) and the bulbocavernosus (BC) and levator ani (LA) muscles that the SNB innervates, are masculinized by androgens acting on the BC/LA. The site of androgen receptors (AR) responsible for the masculinization of the neuromuscular system is not known. A potential site of action is satellite cells: proliferation of these cells is androgen-dependent and satellite cells seem to contribute to the size of the LA. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to co-localize satellite cells and AR within the LA of postnatal day one and three male and female rats. Results indicate that satellite cells express AR and reveal a difference in proportion of satellite cells expressing AR between the LA and control muscle. Interpretations of these findings, including whether the relatively small proportion of AR accounted for by satellite cells is enough to masculinize the SNB system, are discussed.

Keywords: Sexual differentiation
Spinal nucleus of bulbocavernosus
Satellite Cells
Androgen receptors
Levator Ani
Co-localization
Advisor: Monks, D. Ashley
Brain-music Duet: MEG Signal Complexity and Auditory Perception in Musicians and Nonmusicians

Music training has been suggested to lead to an enhancement in the neural activity associated with music processing. It has been proposed that brain signal complexity is a reflection of the functional capacity of that neural system. The present study tested the hypothesis that musicians have a larger repertoire of brain activity associated with musical perception then nonmusicians. We used multiscale entropy to capture the complexity of the MEG signal while musicians and nonmusicians listened to different melodies. We observed that initial melody presentation elicited higher complexity in musicians compared to nonmusicians. Brain signal complexity decreased in both groups as a function of stimulus repetition. We propose that the neural networks that underlie auditory processing have a more diverse range of functioning in musicians, as compared to nonmusicians. Repetition reduces the amount of information processing and corresponding brain signal complexity.

Keywords: brain
music
Advisor: McIntosh, Anthony Randal
Modeling Satellite District Heating and Cooling Networks

Satellite District Heating and Cooling (DHC) systems offer an alternative structure to conventional, centralized DHC networks. Both use a piping network carrying steam or water to connect disparate building heating and cooling loads together, providing a platform for improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and incorporating alternative means of energy generation. However, satellite DHC networks incorporate thermal production units that are distributed amongst the buildings nodes, which offers greater operational flexibility and reduced capital cost savings for applications using existing building stock. This study was focused on the development of the methodology behind a comprehensive energy model that can assess the practical and financial viability of satellite DHC network scenarios. A detailed scenario application of the model demonstrated significant energy savings and investment potential. Additionally, environmental assessment methods and alternative generation technology were explored in supplementary studies of Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) and building-scale Combined Heat and Power (CHP).

Keywords: district energy
distributed generation
HVAC
energy modeling
CHP
operations optimization
building science
heating
cooling
thermal energy
hydraulic networks
environment
economic
satellite DHC
Advisor: Kennedy, Christopher A.
The Effect of Palate Morphology on Consonant Articulation in Healthy Speakers

This study investigated the effect of palate morphology and anthropometric measures of the head and face on lingual consonant target (positional) variability of twenty one adult speakers (eleven male, ten female). An electromagnetic tracking system (WAVE, NDI, Canada) was used to collect tongue movements while each speaker produced a series of VCV syllables containing a combination of consonants /t, d, s, z, ʃ, tʃ, k, g, j/ and three corner vowel /i, ɑ, u/. Distributions of x, y, and z coordinates representing maximum tongue elevation during the consonants were used to represent target variability across contexts. Palate and anthropometric measures were obtained for each participant. A correlational analysis showed that target variability of the consonants produced in the front of the mouth (e.g. alveolar and palatal) was explained, to a degree, by palate morphology. The variability of velar consonants was not explained by the structural measures.

Keywords: Articulatory Variability
Consonants
Speech Motor Control
Palate Morphology
Advisor: Yunusova, Yana
Dental Anxiety in Future and Current Orthodontic Patients

Dental anxiety is not typically associated with orthodontic treatment because of the lack of evoking stimuli (i.e., drills, needles). Its prevalence in orthodontic patients is unknown but reported anecdotally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors contributing to dental anxiety in future and current orthodontic patients. University dental clinics and private orthodontic office patients completed a questionnaire including the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), MDAS-Ortho (both scored 1-not anxious to 5-extremely anxious; sum score >15=dentally anxious), and list of concerns about orthodontic treatment. 675 patients participated (60.4% private practice; 64.3% female; 24.9% new patients; 85.5% aged 12-20 years). University clinic patients reported significantly higher MDAS and MDASO scores (p<0.05). 22.8% were dentally anxious and 18.7% anxious about orthodontic treatment, with concerns related to their relationship with the orthodontist, perceptions of orthodontic treatment and treatment factors. Results confirm dental anxiety in orthodontic patients and factors contributing to that anxiety.

Keywords: Dental anxiety
Orthodontics
Advisor: Dempster, Laura
Generation and Characterization of Neural Stem Cells Derived from Embryonic Stem Cells using the Default Mechanism

In embryonic stem cells (ESCs) neural differentiation is elicited in the absence of extrinsic signaling in minimal conditions. This ‘default mechanism’ in ESCs produces neural stem cells termed primitive neural stem cells, which can subsequently yield FGF2-dependent definitive neural stem cells (dNSCs). We hypothesized that dNSCs have properties similar to neural stem/progenitor cells derived from the adult brain (aNPCs). The neural differentiation profile of the cell-types was characterized in vitro and in vivo following transplantation into the Shiverer mouse. The dNSCs produced a differentiation profile similar to that of aNPCs and both cell-types produced oligodendrocytes. This is the first demonstration of the in vivo differentiation of neural stem cells, derived from ESCs through the default mechanism, into the oligodendrocyte lineage. We conclude that dNSCs are a similar cell population to aNPCs. The default mechanism is a promising approach to generate neural stem cells and their progeny from pluripotent cell populations.

Keywords: Neural Stem Cells
Oligodendrocytes
Myelin
Differentiation
Advisor: Fehlings, Michael G.
A 2Gbps Optical Receiver with Integrated Photodiode in 90nm CMOS

The objective of this work was to integrate an optical receiver in a modern standard technology in a form amenable to multiple lanes. To accomplish this goal, a photodiode was integrated with the receiver in a standard 90nm CMOS process and the nominal process voltage of 1.2V was not exceeded. Two optical lanes were integrated on chip with a pitch compatible with existing industry photodiode arrays. This work uses a non-SML photodiode to increase optical responsivity to 0.141A/W, almost 3 times higher than values typically reported for SML photodiodes. This receiver is the first integrated optical receiver reported in a standard CMOS technology with a feature size smaller than 0.13μm, which is necessary for the eventual integration of optical receivers with modern digital processing blocks on a single die. The traditional analog equalizer used in most integrated optical receivers is replaced with a high-pass filter and hysteresis latch for equalization. The receiver occupies a core area of 0.197mm2 and has an optical sensitivity of -3.7dBm at a 2Gbps data rate, while consuming 46.3mW.

Keywords: CMOS
optical receiver
photodiode
integrated
transimpedance amplifier
SML
Advisor: Carusone, Anthony Chan
Proliferation of Pathogenic Biofilms within Sealer-root Dentin Interfaces is Affected by Sealer Type and Aging Period

Objective: To assess biofilm proliferation within the sealer-dentin interfaces of methacrylate resin-based sealers, self-etch (SE) and total-etch (TE), and an epoxy resin-based sealer (EP). Methods: Standardized human root specimens were filled with the test materials and were aged for 1 week, 1, 3 or 6 months in saline (n=3/group). Monoclonal biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis were grown on the specimens for 7 days in continuous media reactor. The extent of biofilm proliferation of E. faecalis within the sealer-dentin interface for each material at each incubation period was assessed using fluorescence microscopy of dihydroethidium-stained specimens. Results: TE had less biofilm proliferation than EP and SE (p<0.01). Deeper biofilm proliferation was detected in SE and EP specimens aged for 1 and 3 months than those aged for 1 week or 6 months (p<0.05). Conclusion: Self-etch and epoxy resin-based sealers were more susceptible to interfacial biofilm proliferation than total-etch system at shorter incubation periods.

Keywords: resin-dentin interface, endodontic sealer, resin-composite, biofilm, E faecalis, fluorescence microscopy
Advisor: Finer, Yoav
Friedman, Shimon
Lévesque, Céline
Basrani, Bettina
Chemical Modeling of Ammoniacal Solutions in Ni/Co Hydrometallurgy

Chemical modeling has become an important subject of research in applied thermodynamics for designing, developing, optimizing and controlling of different industrial processes. In this work, a new database for successful modeling of solid-aqueous phase equilibria in specific hydrometallurgical processes was developed using the Mixed Solvent Electrolyte (MSE(H3O+)) model of the OLI Systems software. The ionic interaction parameters between dominant species in the solution were determined by fitting available binary and ternary experimental data such as mean activity, heat capacity and solubility data; then they were validated in multi-component systems. Developed model predicted the phase behaviour in ammoniacal solutions containing cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc in the Copper Boil process. New sets of double-salt solubility data were measured and used for accuracy validation of the model. Using HSC 6.1 software linked with MSE model, the copper boil processes was simulated successfully to provide some practical recommendations for the optimum process operation.

Keywords: Electrolyte Thermodynamics
Ni Hydrometallurgy
OLI Software
Chemical Modeling
Ammnia Recovery
Advisor: Papangelakis, Vladimiros G.
The Experiences of Immigrants Seeking Healthcare in Toronto

Background: The provision of healthcare for immigrants is a global issue. Understanding the complexities of migrant’s experiences seeking healthcare is essential to improving their ability to access healthcare. This qualitative study reports on the experiences seeking healthcare for three groups of migrants. Methods: Seventeen one-on-one interviews were conducted with Spanish-speaking women through an interpreter. Community-based participatory action research was the framework utilized for this study. Results: An individual’s immigration status emerged as the single most important factor affecting both an individual’s ability to seek out healthcare and what their experiences are when trying to access healthcare. Conclusion: This study brings to light two issues that are not discussed in great depth in the migrant health service literature. The immigration status of migrants is the largest factor affecting their ability to seek healthcare. Food security is a very stressful issue for many refugees and undocumented immigrants.

Keywords: Immigrants
Migrants
Health
Healthcare
Mental Health
Food security
Health Services
Immigration Status
Undocumented Immigrants
Refugees
Landed Immigrants
Advisor: Fisman, David
Hodges, Brian
Robertson, Angela
Elucidating the Mechanisms of Transposable Elements using Experimental and Bioinformatic Approaches: The hAT Superfamily of Transposable Elements in the Genome of Aedes aegypti and TE Displayer

Transposable elements (TEs) are found in nearly all eukaryotic genomes and are a major driving force of genome evolution. The hAT superfamily of TEs are found in a variety of organisms, including plants, fungi, insects and animals. To date, only 14 hAT TEs in the Aedes aegypti genome have been annotated as having a hAT transposase coding sequence. In this study, extensive bioinformatic approaches have been employed to find hAT TEs that encode transposases in the A. aegypti genome. A total of six newly-identified TEs belonging to the hAT superfamily were discovered in the A. aegypti genome. Furthermore, a computer program called TE Displayer was developed to analyze TEs in genome sequences. TE Displayer detects TE-derived polymorphisms in genome datasets and presents the results on a virtual gel image. TE Displayer enables researchers to compare TE profiles in silico and provides a reference profile for experimental analyses.

Keywords: Transposable Elements
Aedes aegypti
TE Displayer
Transposon Display
Advisor: Yang, Guojun
The Effects of Cue Familiarity on Episodic Memory, Scene Construction, and Imagining the Future

Recent research has revealed many similarities between episodic memory, scene construction, and imagination of the future. It has been suggested that scene construction is the common process underlying memory and imagination, but no study to date has directly compared all three abilities. The present study compared retrieval time, ratings of detail and vividness for episodic memories, remembered scenes and imagined future events cued by landmarks of high and low familiarity. Memories, scenes, and imagined episodes based on a more familiar landmark as a cue were more quickly retrieved, more detailed, and more vivid. This study was the first to demonstrate the effects of frequent encounters with a cue on memory, scene construction and imagination of the future. Additionally, consistent results across conditions, as well as stronger effects in the scene construction condition, provide further evidence of a possible interdependence of episodic memory, imagination of the future, and scene construction.

Keywords: Episodic Memory
Imagination
Scene Construction
Familiarity
Spatial Memory
Vividness
Advisor: Moscovitch, Morris
Commercial Fluorosurfactants and their Metabolites in Human Blood

Fluorinated chemicals have the advantage of both lipophobic and hydrophobic behaviour, leading to broad industrial and commercial use. Fluorosurfactants, for example, are used in applications, such as grease-proofing food packaging, which result in human exposure. Human blood serum, in this work 100 German serum samples dating from 1982 to 2009, is a common matrix for detection of fluorochemicals. Here the most extensive temporal study to date of one class of fluorosurfactant (polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters, diPAPs) in human serum is presented. Additionally, another class of fluorosurfactant (sulfonamide-based PAPs, SAmPAPs) was detected in humans for the first time with temporal trends which echo industrial production. Metabolites of diPAPs and SAmPAPs were also quantified, showing temporal trends that relate to the diPAP and SAmPAP levels. Because diPAP and SAmPAP metabolites are environmentally persistent and raise human health concerns, it is important to understand these indirect sources of exposure.

Keywords: fluorochemicals
fluorosurfactants
environmental chemistry
human exposure
biological monitoring
temporal study
Advisor: Mabury, Scott A.
Rational Reform of Housing Access Policy in Ontario

Ontario’s current regulatory approach to low-income housing lies between two primary challenges: the human right to housing, and political/fiscal constraints. This thesis draws on legal theory and economic analysis of law to articulate the proper goals of housing access policy. A structural theory is proposed to explain the normative relationship between efficiency, communitarianism and justice in housing. An array of regulatory options are compared and considered in light of the features that characterize Ontario’s low-income rental housing markets. This analysis favours demand-side housing subsidies to low-income households, combined with supply-side tax expenditures to improve elasticity in the low-income rental market. Further reform of rent and covenant controls, social and affordable housing supply, and land use planning is recommended to ensure an efficient residential tenancy market. These reforms are offered as a framework for the implementation of the human right to housing in Ontario.

Keywords: housing
public housing
social housing
affordable housing
low-income housing
rental housing
housing rights
right to housing
residential tenancies
rent control
lease
contract
property
poverty
welfare
planning
rent-geared-to-income
RGI
subsidy
zoning
maximin
law
distributive justice
corrective justice
efficiency
Pareto
Kaldor-Hicks
Ontario
Canada
shelter
ICESCR
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Charter
structural theory
elasticity
vacancy decontrol
Advisor: Trebilcock, Michael