VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Advanced Electromagnetic Surfaces with Engineered Dispersion

This thesis aims to explore advanced electromagnetic surfaces (AESs) in the radiofrequency and microwave regimes by engineering their time- and/or space-dispersive responses. First, by carefully tailoring the frequency responses of the constituent meta-atoms, time-dispersive surfaces in the form of multi-layer multi-band frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) were demonstrated. Owing to the application of a new systematic design approach based on equivalent circuit models, the realized surfaces can achieve control over their frequency domain transfer functions with unprecedented precision. Combining the proposed method with concepts borrowed from analog fillter theory, FSSs with sophisticated and customizable high-order wave filtering capabilities were realized. Along the other axis of dispersion engineering, two extreme cases of spatial dispersion control were explored. First, the spatial dispersion in microwave bianisotropic Huygens' metasurfaces (BMSs) were heavily suppressed through the use of a novel meta-atom topology that is structured to reduce near-field coupling between adjacent unit-cells. This enabled the accurate practical realization of BMSs, whose required properties are typically derived based on the assumption of zero spatial dispersion. This result paved the way for a theoretical exploration of exotic non-planar dispersion-free BMS-based devices. Then, the extreme angular dependency of a space-dispersive AES in the form of a metagrating (MG) is exploited to design a multi-functional surface capable of selectively transforming waves base on their incident direction. Lastly, combining the concepts of temporal and spatial dispersion engineering, a dual-band MG capable of performing extreme wave transformation at two independent frequency bands was demonstrated. The designs presented in this thesis were verified through a mixture of numerical simulations and practical experiments. The results strongly corroborate the viability and applicability of dispersion-engineered AESs.

Advisor: Hum, Sean V
Eleftheriades, George V
Religion and Police Legitimacy: the Case of Israel’s Haredi Community

This dissertation analyzes police legitimacy within a Jewish religious minority community in Israel, the Haredim. Informed by theories of procedural justice, social capital, integrative enclave, and community-society, the study explores the overarching theme of religion in police legitimacy. The chapters are organized into three distinct yet inter-related case studies and implement various research designs. In these chapters, I discuss possible mechanisms that have contributed to the surprising improvement in police legitimacy within this community. In the first article, I describe the Israeli-Haredi societal situation over the last twenty years and identify forces of modernization that have contributed to higher acceptance and Haredi participation with the police, namely increased trust and cooperation. I suggest that police legitimacy has gradually developed in a dialogical manner between the community and the police. The second article discusses brokerage with the police and demonstrates how, during the first wave of COVID-19, the community shifted its communication channels with the police, leaning more heavily on professional knowledge brokers rather than traditional religious brokers. This article discusses the potential for long-term improvement of police legitimacy within the community as a result of this shift in social capital. The third article focuses on organizations as socialization mechanisms that provide a safe space for Haredim to explore the Israeli public sphere and vice versa. Organizations that assist the police in various matters, and include Haredi volunteers, provide this religious minority with the opportunity to enhance communication with the police while keeping intact religious observance. In conclusion, the dissertation provides insight into the role of religion in policing and police legitimacy, offering an important view of religion as a unique factor. Theoretically, the dissertation contributes to the understanding of (1) how police legitimacy develops over time and how religion interacts with this process; (2) how social capital access, and hence communication channels with the police, may shift under certain circumstances within religious communities; and (3) how religious organizations with ties to the police working with integrative enclaves serve as agents of socialization. Limitations and future directions for research are discussed in all three articles, as well as in the conclusion.

Keywords: Haredim
Israel
Police Legitimacy
Policing
Religion
Social Capital
Advisor: Light, Matthew
Musical Networks and Cultural Policy in Canada from 1945 to 1982

This dissertation investigates the gatekeeping activities of a network of musicians and music administrators who governed the cultural institutions crucial to the dissemination of Canadian art music during the mid-twentieth century. Organizations including the Canadian Music Council, the Canadian Music Centre, the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association of Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the Canada Council for the Arts were managed by an overlapping network of predominantly white men of European descent. As directors, executives, and jury members, they established the dominant aesthetic practices of the time and controlled access to the resources composers needed to disseminate their musical works. More significantly, as proponents of musical modernism, they worked according to an aesthetic—and at times exclusionary—agenda. This network presided over postwar Canadian musical life and ensured the development of a thriving avant-garde art music scene, its championing efforts peaking with the Centennial Celebrations of 1967. In the early 1970s, the introduction of federal cultural policies challenged its power and centrality. Numerous social, political, and cultural transformations in the postcentennial era (1968–1982) challenged this network’s authority over music practices in Canada. Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s Liberal government implemented a national cultural policy with a more diversified, democratic, and industrialized political agenda, blurring the aesthetic distinctions between ‘high’ and ‘low’ which had previously been used by the network to govern Canadian art music practices. At stake was the network’s ability to sustain its gatekeeping activities and, by extension, the livelihood of the composers it supported. The second part of this dissertation thus sheds light on how Canadian cultural policy was implemented and how it impacted the funding, championing, and curating activities of the cultural institutions that managed the flow of musical production in Canada during the postcentennial era. This dissertation brings together cultural-historical, archival and SNA (social network analysis) methodologies to trace the formation of this network and identify its key actors. By evaluating the social, cultural, and political factors which both informed and impaired the network, it also illuminates the mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion which determined the audibility and success of some composers, while simultaneously marginalizing others.

Advisor: Elliott, Robin
The Pathogenesis of CKD: Studies of FSTL1 and ACE2

Mechanism(s) responsible for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end stage renal disease have not been fully elucidated. During my Ph.D. studies I completed bioinformatic, in vitro, in-silico, and in vivo studies to address this gap in current knowledge.In a first series of experiments, microarray analysis of kidneys from Col4a3-/- mice, an experimental model of CKD, revealed an early increase in follistatin-like-1 (FSTL1) expression. Little is known about FSTL1 in experimental or human CKD. FSTL1 localized to interstitial cells by RNAscope® and single cell transcriptomic data from human CKD showed that FSTL1 was confined to fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. In vitro, FSTL1 activated AP1 and NFκB, increased collagen I and interleukin-6 expression, and induced apoptosis in kidney cells. FSTL1 expression in kidneys from humans with CKD associated with age, eGFR, and proteinuria and was also related to interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Remarkably, CKD progression in participants with FSGS from the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE) study was greater in patients with high baseline FSTL1 mRNA levels. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) catalyzes conversion of angiotensin (Ang) II to Ang-(1–7). It is decreased in kidneys from Col4a3–/– mice and recombinant ACE2 (rACE2) administration lessens kidney injury in these mice. Interestingly, ACE2 is a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 but little is known about renal ACE2 expression in human CKD. I accessed renal tubulointerstitial (TI) and glomerular microarray expression data and clinical variables from healthy living donors and patients with CKD from the European Renal cDNA Bank. ACE2 expression was greater in males than females and lower in the glomeruli. Genes involved in inflammation and fibrosis correlated inversely with ACE2 expression. I then studied ACE2 expression in participants with FSGS from NEPTUNE. ACE2 expression was related to both sex and eGFR in this cohort. ACE2 expression was inversely related to kidney interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy, in males but not in females. In summary, my studies support the hypotheses that intrarenal FSTL1 and low ACE2 contribute to the progression of CKD, suggesting that they may be important targets for the development of new treatment approaches to CKD.

Keywords: CKD
FSTL1
Kidney
Advisor: Scholey, James
The Protective Effects of Selective Omega-3 Ethyl Ester Prescription Drugs on Diet-Induced Glucose Intolerance and Insulin Resistance

Cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, are the leading causes of death worldwide. Omega-3 ethyl ester prescription drugs, Vascepa (96% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ethyl ester) and Lovaza (46.5% EPA and 37.5% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester) are prescribed to patients with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease to reduce hypertriglyceridemia and improve cardiovascular outcomes and are being tested to potentially treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Since cardiovascular disease and NAFLD are closely linked to prediabetes and the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), the effects of omega-3 ethyl esters on protecting from prediabetes and the progression to T2D need to be further studied. Thus, to examine more closely their potential effects in preventing prediabetes, mice were treated with Vascepa or Lovaza for one week prior to six weeks of high fat diet (HFD) feeding. Vascepa mice fed HFD had significantly reduced weight gain and diminished insulin resistance compared to control-HFD treatment, with no significant effects seen with Lovaza. Mice treated with Vascepa, and to a lesser extent Lovaza, had reduced fasting glucose and improved glucose excursions. Vascepa treated mice had reduced fasting insulin and reduced insulin secretion in vivo with no direct acute impact on beta cell function in vitro. Vascepa treatment reduced hepatic triglyceride and upregulated genes associated with PPAR-α signaling with increased expression of PPAR-α and Cyp4a31. As well, retinol and arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolism was upregulated with decreased circulating ARA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and DHA and reduced ARA/EPA ratio indicating increased utilization of polyunsaturated fatty acids with Vascepa treatment. In comparison, we observed that EPA and DPA are elevated in subjects with T2D suggesting dysregulated metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids in T2D. Finally, we determined whether changes in insulin resistance and liver function are associated with altered gut microbiome composition. Vascepa treatment impacted the gut microbiome, decreasing Firmicutes, the phylum frequently associated with increased weight gain, and increasing Bacteroides, the phylum associated with reduced inflammation and insulin resistance. In conclusion, Vascepa alters the gut microbiome, reduces weight gain and hepatic triglycerides associated with overall improvements in insulin resistance, glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion.

Advisor: Wheeler, Michael
Elucidating the Role of Tankyrase Inhibition during Pancreatic Specification and β Cell Lineage Commitment using hPSCs

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) differentiation into pancreatic endocrine cells has been proposed as a strategy to generate surrogate islets to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D), which is caused by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells. Current hPSC differentiation methods attempt to recapitulate pancreas organogenesis in a 6-stage protocol using a series of growth factor-enriched media to modulate developmental pathways. However, these protocols generate low yield of β-like cells that are metabolically immature. Proper endoderm patterning at early differentiation stages can dramatically impact the terminal culture and understanding the pathways controlling pancreatic progenitor (PP) formation could improve the endocrine cell differentiation. We previously directed efficient PP differentiation using nicotinamide (NA), EGF and Noggin. However, the role of NA during pancreas commitment remains unclear due to its role in multiple cellular pathways. Using a screening assay, we demonstrated that NA induces PP specification by targeting tankyrases (TNKS), which are central regulators of several signaling networks, including the canonical Wnt signaling. In Chapter 3, we showed that canonical Wnt signaling prevents pancreatic differentiation and promotes gastrointestinal development, whereas TNKS inhibition induces pancreas commitment. We further identified that a highly selective TNKSi, WIKI4, predisposed PPs to β-like cell commitment, improving β-like cell purity and yield compared to the NA counterpart. In Chapter 4, we performed transcriptomic analysis to explore possible mechanisms by which WIKI4 predisposes PPs to β-like cell commitment. We showed that WIKI4 treatment reduced the proliferation of the non-PP population and activated integrin signaling, which is the mediator between cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. In Chapter 5, we demonstrated that WIKI4 treatment during PP commitment profoundly affects β-like cell function in vitro and in vivo. We showed that WIKI4-derived PP gave rise to glucose responsive β-like cells in vitro and upon transplantation, WIKI4-derived grafts normalized glycemia in diabetic mice. In contrast, NA-derived PPs gave rise to β-like cells that failed to respond to glucose challenges in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, we showed that TNKS inhibition during PP formation enhances β-like cell commitment. Our work reinforces the notion that improving early lineage commitment is a valuable strategy to enhance β-like cell differentiation.

Keywords: Beta cells
Diabetes
Insulin
Stem cells
Tankyrase
Advisor: Nostro, Cristina
Effects of Cannabis Alone and Combined with Alcohol on Simulated Driving

Alcohol and cannabis remain the two most commonly detected drugs in injured drivers. The simultaneous use of these drugs is commonly reported and their combined use increases the risk of impaired driving. Additionally, the potency of cannabis for recreational use has risen causing a discrepancy between the potency being sold, and that used in driving research. Study 1 examined the effects of combinations of smoked cannabis (12.5% THC) and alcohol (BrAC 0.08%) on simulated driving performance, subjective drug effects, cardiovascular measures and self-reported perception of driving ability in 28 youngadults. The combined use of alcohol and cannabis increased weaving and reaction time, and tended to produce greater subjective effects compared to placebo and the singledrug conditions suggesting a potential additive effect. Furthermore, participants seemed to be unaware of their greater level of impairment when under the influence of both drugs. Study 2 examined the effects of four different doses of smoked cannabis: placebo (0.009% THC), low dose (6.25% THC), medium dose (12.5% THC), and high dose (22% THC) on simulated driving performance and subjective drug effects in 18 adults. At the time that this analysis was conducted, the clinical trial was still ongoing. In order not to break the blind, Pharmacy services at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health designated the four drug conditions as A, B, C and D. Conditions A, B, and C showed increased weaving and reaction time at the 30-minute drive post drug administration and increased weaving at the 90-minute drive post drug administration compared to condition D. Condition C led to significantly greater weaving in the 30-minute drive compared to condition B and D, suggesting a dose-response effect. In line with these findings, the subjective drug effects were greater in condition A, B and C compared to condition D. ConclusionThe results of these studies add to the existing literature highlighting the increased driving impairment when cannabis and alcohol are used simultaneously. Individuals driving under these conditions do not seem to be aware of their increased impairment. The findings also suggest that driving impairment under the influence of cannabis maybe dose-related.

Advisor: Brands, Bruna B
Quantitative Fast FLIM-FRET (qF3) to Study BCL-2 Family Protein-protein Interactions in Live Cells

The BCL-2 family proteins can promote or prevent cell death (pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins respectively). They function via an intricate network of intra-family interactions, the balance of which regulates the point of no return in apoptosis: mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). Cancer cells may become ’addicted to‘ the expression of one or more anti-apoptotic proteins to evade death, so several compounds (called BH3 mimetics) have been developed that inhibit anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2, BCL-XL, or MCL-1 to initiate cell death. However, most BCL-2 family proteins have yet to be purified in full-length, and most BH3 mimetics have only been validated using peptides and truncated anti-apoptotic proteins in solution. To more reliably predict how these inhibitors will work in the clinic, we used Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) to detect Fӧrster resonance energy transfer (FRET), or FLIM-FRET microscopy, to measure interactions between full-length BCL-2 family proteins in live cells. To measure FRET we fuse a donor fluorophore to one protein and an acceptor fluorophore to another, expressing both in the cell. If the two fusion proteins interact they bring the donor in close enough proximity with the acceptor for FRET to occur, resulting in a decrease in donor lifetime. However, traditional FLIM-FRET is low throughput and generates binding curves that vary between experiments due to the X-axis being measured in arbitrary units of intensity; not suitable for screening. This thesis highlights our contributions to the FLIM-FRET method, culminating in the introduction of our quantitative Fast FLIM-FRET (qF3) technique. We used qF3 to screen 15 promising BH3 mimetics to displace interactions of 24 full-length BCL-2 family protein-protein complexes in live cells and find that some compounds are highly functional, yet many exhibited unsuspected cross-reactivities and/or poor function. Finally, we used FLIM-FRET to closely study the interactions of BCL-2 Interacting Killer (BIK) protein in live cells. BIK is a membrane-anchored protein well-known for its localization to the endoplasmic reticulum(ER). In order to investigate BIK function in cells, we swapped the targeting sequences of BCL-XL and BCL-2 for localization to mitochondria or ER and surprisingly BIK interacted with BCL-XL/BCL-2-targeted to mitochondria. Finally, we propose a possible model and discuss the implications regarding BIK function.

Keywords: Apoptosis
BCL-2 family
BH3 mimetics
Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy
Forster Resonance Energy Transfer
Quantitative Fast FLIM-FRET (qF3)
Advisor: Andrews, David W
Migrant Youth, Islandness, and Belonging on Prince Edward Island

The small Canadian province of Prince Edward Island has recently experienced a population boom, driven largely by international immigration. As a sub-national jurisdiction with considerable leverage over immigration and education policy, PEI has targeted young migrating international students in immigration and education marketing, positioning such migrants as ideal future Islanders whose arrival will reverse population loss. This qualitative study considers the lived experiences of nine such migrants, all of whom arrived on PEI on international student visas within the last six years and all of whom have expressed a desire, however nominal, to remain in the province following graduation. Using narrative and arts-informed research—in particular, photo elicitation and photovoice—this multi-modal, multi-stage study explores how migrating students experience various forms of belonging and exclusion in Island material and symbolic space. Hall’s (2017) theory of ethnos as an organizing and disciplinary practice for establishing and maintaining group identity is extended into the realm of Island space, to consider how the conditions and practices of islandness as a key vector of Island identity exclude migrating students from Island society in various ways. Findings suggest that historical discourses focused on maintaining a homogenized Island identity, constructed through operationalizing and policing a strict insider/outsider binary, punishes racialized subjects in particular. While a vibrant and diverse younger population suggests the Island may be reaching a demographic inflection point, in which migrating students benefit from parallel economies of affect and capital, data suggest that social and political networks continue to privilege and elevate white Islanders within material and symbolic Island spaces. Further, findings demonstrate how the Island imaginary continues to be produced within Island and transnational space in strategic and disciplinary ways as traditional, rural, past-centric, and culturally homogenous, despite ample evidence to the contrary. The research makes an important contribution to critical international education studies by considering the influential role sub-national policy and branding play in shaping how migrating students experience settlement and place. Further, the research offers an important case study to island studies scholars considering how island place, identity, and social relations shape (and are in turn shaped by) the conditions of international migration.

Keywords: belonging
immigration
international education
island studies
islandness
Prince Edward Island
Advisor: Mirchandani, Kiran