VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Detecting Cognitive Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Assessing the Validity of a Computer Generated Battery

Approximately half of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients experience cognitive deficits. Accessing neuropsychological assessment can be challenging due to the considerable time, expense, and expertise required for test administration. Computerized cognitive testing has been proposed as an alternative. The objective was to validate a computer generated cognitive screen for MS patients. Ninety-nine MS patients and 98 healthy controls completed the computerized battery consisting of the Stroop, Symbol Digit Modalities Test (C-SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PVSAT-2, PVSAT-4), and simple and choice reaction time tests. The Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS) was used to define cognitive impairment in the MS sample. A combination of the C-SDMT, PVSAT-2, PVSAT-4 had a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 87.7% in detecting cognitive impairment. Each measure had good test-retest reliability (p < 0.001). High sensitivity and specificity, and brevity emphasize the usefulness of the computerized cognitive screen in busy MS clinics.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis
cognition
neuropsychology
computerized cognitive assessment
Advisor: Feinstein, Anthony
The Kwakwaka’wakw Potlatch Collection and its Many Social Contexts: Constructing a Collection’s Object Biography

In 1921, the Canadian government confiscated over 400 pieces of Kwakwaka’wakw potlatch regalia and placed it in three large museums. In 1967 the Kwakwaka'wakw initiated a long process of repatriation resulting in the majority of the collection returning to two Kwakwaka’wakw cultural centres over the last four decades. Through the theoretical framework of object biography and using the museum register as a tool to reconstruct the lives of the potlatch regalia, this thesis explores the multiple paths, diversions and oscillations between objecthood and subjecthood that the collection has undergone. This thesis constructs an exhibition history for the regalia, examines processes of institutional forgetting, and adds multiple layers of meaning to the collection's biography by attending to the post-repatriation life of the objects. By revisiting this pivotal Canadian case, diversions are emphasized as important moments in the creation of subjecthood and objecthood for museum objects.

Keywords: Object Biography
Museum Collections
Kwakwaka'wakw
First Nations
repatriation
potlatch collection
objecthood
subjecthood
institutional forgetting
cultural centres
Advisor: Krmpotich, Cara
Mortensen, Lena
Jonaitis, Aldona
Exploring the Role of Hypoxia-related Parameters in the Vascularization of Modular Tissues

Modular tissue engineering involves assembling tissue constructs with integral vasculature from units containing adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (adMSCs) and endothelial cells. Here, the effects of implant volume and adMSC density on the vascularization of modular tissues were explored. Both parameters affected the contributions of host- and graft-derived vessels, without affecting total vessel density. Increasing implant volume from 0.01 to 0.10 mL increased HIF1&alpha; expression and graft-derived vessel density, suggesting a role of hypoxia in graft-derived vessel formation. However, increasing adMSC density within small-volume implants did not increase HIF1&alpha; expression. Vascularization of small-volume implants of high (4.3&bull;10^6 cells/mL) and low (1.0&bull;10^6 cells/mL) adMSC densities was dominated by host vessel ingrowth at day 7. By increasing adMSC density, a high proportion of host-derived vessels was maintained to day 14, presumably via paracrine effects. Further dissection of the role of hypoxia in modular tissue engineering remains a promising avenue to pursue.

Keywords: Tissue engineering
Hypoxia
Vascularization
Mesenchymal stromal cells
Endothelial cells
Advisor: Sefton, Michael
Somatic Copy Number Aberrations in Familial Pancreatic Cancer: Integrative Genomics and Gene Discovery

Familial Pancreatic Cancer (FPC) is an autosomal dominant condition with greater then 80% of genetic causes unknown. We hypothesize that an integrative approach employing germline exome sequencing and somatic microarray analysis of FFPE DNA will identify novel tumour suppressor genes (TSGs). 55 FPC and 21 sporadic PDAC tumours were analyzed on the Affymetrix Oncoscan FFPE Express 2.0 SNP microarray and compared to data from 33 germline FPC cases analyzed on the Illumina GAIIx Analyzer. We have demonstrated that FPC is genetically heterogeneous with recurrent loss at CDKN2A/p16, TP53 and SMAD4. Analysis of 2 sisters has shown a shared loss region involving DCLK3 and SERPINF1. By an integrative approach, we have identified ATPAF1-AS1 and MAP3K6 as potential TSGs. Germline variants of these genes have been confirmed by Sanger sequencing and somatic fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Future functional studies will better characterize the importance of these regions and novel putative TSGs in FPC.

Keywords: Cancer
Pancreatic
CNV
Genomics
Exome
Sequencing
Advisor: Gallinger, Steven
Investigating Perception Under Dynamic Auditory Conditions in the Acoustic Parasitoid Fly Ormia ochracea

Behavioural phonotaxis (oriented movement in response to sound) is an effective means to quantify auditory perception in acoustically communicating insects. Previous phonotaxis studies on the acoustic parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea (Diptera: Tachinidae) have described stereotyped, reflex-like responses towards auditory stimuli modeled after their preferred cricket hosts, yet their ability to demonstrate plasticity of responses in the context of dynamically changing auditory cues has not previously been described. Using a behavioural sensitization protocol, I compared phonotaxis towards behaviourally irrelevant (non-attractive) test stimuli presented alone, and when preceded with the natural, response-evoking cricket song (attractive). Results demonstrate the cricket song as a sensitizing stimulus mediating phonotaxis towards otherwise non-attractive sounds, and differential walking patterns depending on temporal delay between song offset and test stimulus onset. My findings suggest an ecological purpose of sensitization, allowing flies to maintain orientation towards a cricket host amidst conditions of signal disruption in the environment.

Keywords: Neuroethology
Behaviour
Psychophysics
Non-associative Learning
Advisor: Mason, Andrew
Advances in Fault Diagnosis and Fault Tolerant Control Motivated by Large Flexible Space Structure

In this thesis, two problems are studied. The first problem is to find a technique to generate a particular type of failure information in real time for large flexible space structures (LFSSs). This problem is solved by using structured residuals. The failure information is then incorporated into an existing fault tolerant control scheme. The second problem is a ``spin-off'' from the first. Although the H-infinity sliding mode observer (SMO) cannot be applied to the colocated LFSS , its ability to do robust state and fault estimation of the SMO makes it suitable to be used in an integrated fault tolerant control (IFTC) scheme. We propose to combine the H-infinity SMO with a linear fault accommodation controller. Our IFTC scheme is closed loop stable, suppresses the effects of faults and enjoys enhanced robustness to disturbances. The effectiveness of the IFTC is illustrated through the control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor under actuator fault.

Keywords: Fault Diagnosis
Fault Tolerant Control
Large Flexible Space Structure
Control
Advisor: Kwong, Raymond H.
Extinction Limits of Laminar Diffusion Counterflow Flames of Various Gaseous Fuels including Syngas and Biogas

This work investigates the extinction limits of laminar diffusion counterflow flames for various gaseous (methane, syngas, biogas) fuels using a high flow rate counterflow burner designed and built for this work. Equal momenta of the fuel and oxidizer streams were not maintained to provide data to check the fidelity of the numerical schemes and their chemical mechanisms at "non-standard" conditions. Strain rate values at extinction were obtained as a function of fuel mole fraction. Preliminary work with the new burner found that the methane extinction limit results were consistent with results from literature. The results provide insight into the extinction limit conditions of the aforementioned fuels. The strain rate was found to increase with increasing fuel mole fraction. Extinction limit results indicated that fuels with the highest concentration of hydrogen have the greatest extinction limit, which is believed to be attributed to the high diffusivity and reactivity of hydrogen.

Keywords: Combustion
Strain Rate
Extinction
Counterflow
Soot
Flame
Hydrogen
Biofuels
Syngas
Biogas
Diffusion
Advisor: Gulder, Omer L.
Towards Longitudinal Control for Over-the-horizon Autonomous Convoying

In a variety of military operations, a convoy of autonomous followers may need to traverse the leader's path without using Global Positioning System (GPS), lane markers/magnets and/or a vision-based vehicle-following system. This can be achieved by using Visual Teach and Repeat (VT and R), which provides an effective method for autonomous repeating of a previously driven path. This thesis describes the design of a distributed control system that uses the idea behind the VT and R method to allow a convoy of inter-communicable autonomous vehicles to follow a manually-driven lead vehicle's path with a desired inter-vehicle spacing, even when the leader is not in the camera view of the followers. The longitudinal controller is designed for addressing a 1D spacing problem and then combined with a path tracker for tracking a path in a 2D environment. The designed control model is tested in simulations.

Keywords: Convoy
Longitudinal control
Autonomous vehicles
Advisor: Francis, Bruce
Barfoot, Timothy D.
Novel Metallic Field-effect Transistors

This thesis describes a novel concept for a field-effect transistor based on metallic channels. Latest research demonstrates that the bulk (3D) properties of many materials begin to change when confined to 2D sheets, or 1D nanowires. Particularly, the bandgap increases and the density of states decreases. In this work, this effect is explored further to demonstrate its application to field-effect transistors. Certain metals such as Gold and Silver in these dimensions have extremely low density of states in particular energy regions and through gate modulation can be partially depleted from electrons thus creating conditions for field-effect. A simulation study of Gold channel FET demonstrates ION/IOFF of 30 and superior current driving capability compared to the state-of-the art 22nm SiGe ETSOI as well as 30nm nanotube transistors.

Keywords: metallic
transistor
gold
nanoscale
simulation
density of states
Advisor: Voinigescu, Sorin
Impacts of Conservative Endodontic Cavity on Root Canal Instrumentation Efficacy and Resistance to Fracture Assessed in Incisors, Premolars and Molars

Conservative endodontic cavity (CEC) may improve fracture resistance of teeth but compromise instrumentation of canals. Extracted human intact maxillary incisors, mandibular premolars and molars were imaged with micro-CT and assigned to CEC or traditional endodontic cavity (TEC) groups (n=10/group/type). Canals were prepared and post-treatment micro-CT images obtained. These teeth along with the negative controls were then loaded to fracture. Mean proportion of untouched canal-wall was significantly higher only in distal canals of molars with CEC compared to TEC. Mean dentin volume removed was significantly smaller for CEC in all tooth types. Mean load-at-fracture for CEC was significantly higher in premolars and molars without differing significantly from the negative controls. While CEC was associated with compromised canal instrumentation only in the distal canals of molars, it conserved coronal dentin in all three tooth types and increased resistance to fracture in the mandibular molars and premolars.

Keywords: Endodontic cavity
fracture resistance
dentin volume removed
instrumentation efficacy
Advisor: Friedman, Shimon
The Effects of Dilute Polymer Solutions on the Shape, Size, and Roughness of Abrasive Slurry Jet Micro-machined Channels and Holes in Brittle and Ductile Materials

The present study investigated the effect of dilute polymer solutions on the size, shape, and roughness of channels and holes, machined in metal and glass using a novel abrasive slurry-jet micro-machining (ASJM) apparatus. The apparatus consisted of a slurry pump and a pulsation damper connected to an open reservoir tank to generate a 140-micron turbulent jet containing 1 wt% 10-micron alumina particles. With the addition of 50 wppm of 8-M (million) molecular weight polyethylene oxide (PEO), the widths of the channels and diameters of holes machined in glass decreased by an average amount of 25%. These changes were accompanied by approximately a 20% decrease in depth and more V-shaped profiles compared with the U-shape of the reference channels and holes machined without additives. The present results demonstrate that a small amount of a high-molecular-weight polymer can significantly decrease the size of machined channels and holes for a given jet diameter.

Keywords: abrasive slurry jet
micro-machining
polymeric additives
fluid elasticity
erosion
viscosity
Advisor: Spelt, Jan K.
The Effects of Oxygen Glucose Deprivation and TRPM7 Activity on Slingshot Phosphatase and P-21 Activated Kinase Activity

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a ubiquitously expressed divalent cation channel implicated as a key regulator of neuronal cell death in stroke. Our research group has previously shown that TRPM7 dependent cytoskeletal regulation particularly via cofilin mediates neuronal death in oxygen glucose deprivation (in vitro stroke model). LIMK1 phosphorylation was also shown to decrease downstream of TRPM7 activation during anoxia. In the present study we investigated the effects of TRPM7 activation during anoxia, on three regulators of LIMK and cofilin; Rho-associated kinase 2 (ROCK2), P-21 activated kinase 3 (PAK3) and Slingshot family phosphatase 1 (SSH1). Our findings suggest that PAK3 activity is downregulated during OGD through TRPM7 independent mechanisms. However, SSH1 activity appears to be regulated downstream of TRPM7 in a manner that is consistent with LIMK and cofilin regulation. Overall, our work suggests that SSH1 is a new link between anoxia-induced TRPM7activity and cofilin hyperactivation.

Keywords: TRPM7
anoxia
oxygen glucose deprivation
slingshot phosphatase
Advisor: Aarts, Michelle
A Novel Iterative Method for Non-invasive Measurement of Cardiac Output

This thesis provides a first description and proof-of-concept of iterative cardiac output measurement (ICO) – a respiratory, carbon-dioxide (CO2) based method of measuring cardiac output (CO). The ICO method continuously tests and refines an estimate of the CO by attempting to maintain the end-tidal CO2 constant. To validate the new method, ICO and bolus thermodilution CO (TDCO) were simultaneously measured in a porcine model of liver transplant. Linear regression analysis revealed the equation ICO = 0.69•TDCO + 0.65 with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.89. Analysis by the method of Bland and Altman showed a bias of -0.2 L/min with 95% limits of agreement from -1.1 to 0.7 L/min. The trending ability of ICO was determined using the half-circle polar plot method where the mean radial bias, the standard deviation of the polar angle, and 95% confidence interval of the polar angle were -8º, ±17º, and ±33º, respectively.

Keywords: Cardiac output
Fick principle
Liver transplant
Advisor: Fisher, Joseph A.
Multimodal Quantification of Interpersonal Physiological Synchrony between Non-verbal Individuals with Severe Disabilities and their Caregivers during Music Therapy

Physiological interpersonal synchrony, the spontaneous alignment of indicators of physiological activity, is highly associated with the level of empathy between people in emotionally meaningful relationships. However, synchrony has not been studied with nonverbal, severely-disabled individuals, many of whom have a limited means to communicate. In this study, dyadic physiological synchrony in client-parent-therapist triads was quantified through simultaneously recording electrodermal activity, heart rate, cortical brain activity (client-parent only), and cortisol level. For the majority of the trials, a greater level of synchrony was observed in the client-parent dyads compared to the client-therapist dyads; however, the client-therapist dyads demonstrated an increased level of synchrony in the later trials. Electroencephalography analysis revealed widespread interbrain synchrony involving empathy-related regions. Our results suggest that even in the presence of disabilities, synchrony due to empathy exists and that the measurement of this synchrony may serve as a clinical adjunct to the self-report of interpersonal relationships.

Keywords: synchrony
disability
Advisor: Chau, Tom
Sources of Error in Image-based Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Common Carotid Arteries

Magnetic resonance imaging is often used as a source for reconstructing vascular anatomy for the purpose of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. We recently observed large discrepancies in such &ldquo;image-based&rdquo; CFD models of the normal common carotid artery (CCA) derived from contrast enhanced MR angiography (CEMRA). A novel quantitative comparison of velocity profile shape of N=20 cases revealed an average 25% overestimation of velocities by CFD, attributed to a corresponding underestimation of lumen area in the CEMRA-derived geometries. We hypothesized that this was due to blurring of edges in the images caused by dilution of contrast agent during the relatively long elliptic centric CEMRA acquisitions, and confirmed this with MRI simulations. CFD simulations incorporating realistic inlet velocity profiles and non-Newtonian rheology had a negligible effect on velocity profile skewing, suggesting a role for other sources of error or modeling assumptions.

Keywords: hemodynamics
Computational Fluid Dynamics
CEMRA
carotid artery
Advisor: Steinman, David
Development of MEMS Repulsive Actuator for Large Out-of-plane Force

This thesis describes the development of a MEMS repulsive actuator capable of producing a large out-of-plane force. Existing MEMS repulsive actuators are low out-of-plane force actuators that are unable to support or lift a mass of 1 mg. A high force MEMS repulsive actuator was developed to overcome this limitation. The design was optimized employing parameters of the actuator’s fingers to increase the out-of-plane force. A design was developed based on the analytical results derived from extending the mathematical model of an existing actuator. A commercial manufacturing process, PolyMUMPs, was used to fabricate a prototype which was tested to validate the analytical and computational results. The prototype achieved an out-of-plane displacement of 15 µm and a 0.2° angular rotation. The resonance frequency was 120 Hz, and the rise and fall times were measured as 14.5 ms and 3625 ms (3.6 sec), respectively. The estimated out-of-plane force is 40 µN.

Keywords: MEMS Actuator, Out-of-Planes, stroke, repulsive force
Advisor: Mrad, Ridha Ben
Development and Validation of a Partially Coupled Two-equation Soot Model for Industrial Applications

There are several reasons for reducing particulate formation as a result of combustion processes and to date, a number of approaches have been proposed to numerically predict soot. There is a trade-off between accuracy and computational cost and processing time. Two equation semi-empirical models have been used, with some success, to reconcile the need for fast solution turn around and accuracy. However, these models do not account for the mass balance between the gas phase and soot. In this study, the effects of mass conservation of the soot precursors in the gas phase were investigated in an ethylene-air laminar flame simulation at atmospheric pressure. Soot formation was predicted with a two-equation model. Then the model was modified for predicting soot in a turbulent ethylene-air flame operating at 1 atm. The new model is a [2+1]-equation model which accounts for the mass conservation of soot precursors.

Keywords: Particulate Formation
Two Equation
Soot Model
Ethylene Air
Advisor: Thomson, Murray J.
The Effectiveness of Systematic Search Strategy Training for the Analysis of Panoramic Images

Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of systematic search strategy training for the analysis of panoramic images. Methods: 41 students and 33 experienced dentists were recruited from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. At baseline, participants analyzed 15 panoramic images, diagnosed whether the images were normal or abnormal, and marked the locations of the abnormalities. One week later, participants in the trained group were shown a training module illustrating a systematic strategy to analyze panoramic images. At post-test, they analyzed 15 new images matched for difficulty with pre-test images. Results: Mixed design ANOVAs revealed that for abnormality detection in the complex part of the panoramic image, trained students improved from baseline but dentists did not. The number of findings over-reported by students and dentists increased after training. Discussion: This study suggests some benefits in the systematic search strategy training for novices. Inclusion of training in normal panoramic features may reduce over-reported findings.

Keywords: Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Dental Education
Systematic analysis
Panoramic images
Training
Advisor: Pharoah, Michael John
LeBlanc, Vicki
Translating Early Outgrowth Cell Therapy into a Clinically Relevant Approach for Long Term Renoprotection

Current therapy for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited; however, recent studies have shown that a subpopulation of cells derived from the bone marrow, known as early outgrowth cells (EOCs), are able to attenuate kidney injury. Here we examined the efficacy of a modular tissue engineering system whereby the EOCs might be easily removed in the event of malignant change. While modular therapy mimicked the effects seen with standard EOC therapy, the modules degraded allowing the encapsulated EOCs to enter systemic circulation. Given the presumed egress of EOCs, we explored an alternative strategy for kidney protection. Here we investigated the long-term effectiveness of administering the conditioned medium (EOC-CM) that contains the factors the EOCs secrete, rather than the cells themselves. In these studies, repeated administration of EOC-CM attenuated the structural and functional manifestations of kidney injury suggesting that this approach may provide an effective and feasible, cell-free approach for CKD.

Keywords: chronic kidney disease
early outgrowth cells
modular tissue engineering
conditioned medium
Advisor: Gilbert, Richard
The Participation of the Third Parties in the Arbitration Proceedings

The arbitration legislation of Kazakhstan has no direct answer to the problem of possible participation of the third parties therein. The analysis of the Kazakhstani legislation and practice, as well as the comparison of the Kazakhstani approach with international approaches regarding the problem of the third parties have revealed the necessity in the legislative reforms to be taken in Kazakhstan. These reforms are required for stabilization and equilibration of the position of third parties with all rest parties of the arbitration proceedings. Thus, the main aim of this thesis is to elaborate a series of suggestions on the potential development of the arbitration procedural legislative system and to address some of the gaps in the existing arbitration legislation.

Keywords: problem of possible participation of the third parties
arbitration proceedings
arbitration legislation
Kazakhstan
Advisor: Fadel, Mohammad