VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Songs that Touch our Soul - A Comparative Study of Folk Songs in two Chinese Classics: Shijing and Han Yuefu

The subject of my thesis is the comparative study of classical Chinese folk songs. Based on Jeffrey Wainwright, George Lansing Raymond, and Liu Xie’s theories, this study was conducted from four perspectives: theme, content, prosody structure and aesthetic features. The purposes of my thesis are to trace the originality of 160 folk songs in Shijing and 47 folk songs in Han yuefu, to illuminate the origin of Chinese folk songs and to demonstrate the secularism reflected in Chinese folk songs. My research makes contribution to the following four areas: it explores the relation between folk songs in Shijing and Han yuefu and compares the similarities and differences between them; it reveals the poetic kinship between Shijing and Han yuefu; it evaluates the significance of the common people’s compositions; and it displays the unique artistic value and cultural influence of Chinese early folk songs.

Keywords: Shijing
Han Yuefu
Advisor: Sanders, Graham
On Quantifying and Forecasting Emergency Department Overcrowding at Sunnybrook Hospital using Statistical Analyses and Artificial Neural Networks

Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a challenge faced by many hospitals. One approach to mitigate overcrowding is to anticipate high levels of overcrowding. The purpose of this study was to forecast a measure of ED overcrowding four hours in advance to allow clinicians to prepare for high levels of overcrowding. The chosen measure of ED overcrowding was ED length of stay compliance measures set by the Ontario government. A feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) was designed to perform a time series forecast on the number of patients that were non-compliant. Using the ANN compared to historical averages, a 70% reduction in the root mean squared error was observed as well as good discriminatory ability of the ANN model with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.804. Therefore, using ANNs to forecast ED overcrowding gives clinicians an opportunity to be proactive, rather than reactive, in ED overcrowding crises.

Keywords: Emergency Department
Overcrowding
artificial neural networks
prediction
forecast
time series forecasting
ROC
Advisor: Carter, Michael W.
Methane Fluxes at a Temperate Upland Forest in Central Ontario

Methane fluxes were calculated from measurements carried out at a temperate upland forest in Central Ontario using the eddy covariance method over five months in the summer and fall seasons of 2011. Measurements were made by an off-axis integrated cavity output spectrometer Fast Greenhouse Gas Analyzer (FGGA) which simultaneously measured methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water at 10 Hz sampling rates. Observed methane fluxes showed net uptake of methane over the measurement period with an average uptake flux value (±standard deviation of the mean) of -2.7±0.13 nmol m-2 s-1. Methane fluxes showed a diurnal pattern of increased uptake during the day and increasing uptake with seasonal progression. There was also a significant correlation in methane fluxes with soil water content and wind speed. Comparison of the FGGA measurements to those using a static chamber method and canister sampling showed close agreement in flux and mixing ratio values respectively.

Keywords: Environmental Chemistry
Atmospheric Chemistry
Methane Flux
Eddy Covariance
Temperate Forest
Upland Forest
Greenhouse Gas
Advisor: Murphy, Jennifer
Adaptation and Clinical Validation of a New Handheld Optical Imaging Device (PRODIGI™) and Workflow for Real-time Intra-operative Margin Assessment in Breast Cancer

Background: We report here early attempts of adapting a prototype fluorescence imaging system (PRODIGI™) to be used as a surgical guidance tool to improve margin-detection in breast cancer. Methods: 36 patients were recruited to study the autofluorescence characteristics of ex vivo specimens. 5-ALA (20 mg/kg) was used as a contrast agent in human breast cancer cell lines and xenograft tumour models to detect PpIX fluorescence. Results: Administrative approvals were obtained and a surgical drape was used for sterilization. PRODIGITM could differentiate between normal and tumour tissues based on autofluorescence alone in ex vivo samples. PpIX signal was detected in experimental mice, and absent in control mice. The threshold of detection was on the order of 10 nM. Conclusions: Autofluorescence alone with PRODIGI™ was not sufficient for margin assessment of ex vivo breast tumour surgical specimens. 5-ALA at an optimal dosage may be adopted as a contrast agent to enhance tumour signal.

Keywords: PRODIGI
Breast
cancer
imaging
fluorescence
5-ALA
contrast
sterilization
Advisor: DaCosta, Ralph Sebastian Lourdes
Dynamic Regulation of Slit/Robo Signaling

The Slit family (Slit1-3) of secreted glycoproteins and their cognate Roundabout family (Robo1-4) of transmembrane receptors provide important repulsive signals to guide cell migration during development and postnatal life. The dynamic regulation of Slit/Robo signaling is poorly understood in vertebrates. In this study, we identified a novel role for endocytosis in regulating Slit2 /Robo1 expression. Using heterologous expression systems, Slit2 was found be endocytosed in a Robo1-dependent manner and subsequently degraded in the lysosome, while Robo1 was found to be primarily recycled. An AP-2 consensus binding site, which mediates clathrin-dependent endocytosis, was identified in the Robo1 cytoplasmic tail and found to be required for Slit2 down-regulation and Slit2-induced endocytosis of Robo1. Preliminary data suggests that Slit2-induced endocytosis of Robo1 may be required for downstream signaling. These findings have important implications for how Slit/Robo signaling may be dynamically regulated during cell migration.

Keywords: Receptor-mediated endocytosis
Slit
Robo
Cell migration
Advisor: Fish, Jason
An Energy-dissipating System for Blast Mitigation in Structures

The design of buildings for extreme loads has traditionally been conducted on a life safety basis. As a result, buildings often need to be demolished after an extreme event since the cost of repairing the extensive damage is too great. For many buildings, especially critical infrastructure, continued operation after an explosive attack is essential. The use of energy-dissipating methods in a componentized system will enable the protection of a structure and occupants from a blast and permit the rapid repair and re-occupation of the building after an explosive attack. This study focuses on the characterization of a componentized system utilizing energy-dissipating component assemblies. From this characterization, a predictive theory, based on a single degree of freedom model, is developed and a general design method proposed. The predictive theory and design method are evaluated in field blast tests.

Keywords: Blast
Mitigation
Explosion
Advisor: Packer, Jeffrey A.
Evaluation and Design of a Globally Applicable Rear-locking Prosthetic Knee Mechanism

A rear locking prosthetic knee joint with a durable, rear Automatic Stance-Phase Lock (ASPL), was developed to investigate the versatility of the (ASPL) mechanism in improving the functionality of prosthetic knees appropriate for a global market. An international survey and a Quality Function Deployment identified deficits with existing prosthetic knee mechanisms and established the most influential design parameters. Work on the knee design was completed following a comparative stability analysis of different knee mechanisms which justified the initial design. Solid models were generated with computer design software and a prototype was produced and structurally tested. Finally, clinical pilot testing was conducted on a unilateral transfemoral amputee, and various gait variables were assessed. As hypothesized, the knee performed close to the level of a conventional six-bar knee providing highly effective stance-phase control and the pilot test showed that improvements to the swing-phase response could further reduce the asymmetry of gait.

Keywords: Prosthetic
Stance-phase
Knee
Stability
Amputee
Joint
Advisor: Cleghorn, William L.
Andrysek, Jan
Family Physicians' Perspectives on Computer-based Health Risk Assessment Tools for Chronic Diseases

Health risk assessment tools compute an individual’s risk of developing a disease. They are potentially useful in chronic disease prevention mediated by family physicians. We sought to learn family physicians’ awareness, and perspectives on the usefulness, usability and feasibility of implementation of risk assessment tools. Focus groups, discussion with key informants, and usability testing with an EMR-embedded risk assessment tool were conducted with family physicians (n=30) from academic and community-based practices. Analysis following grounded theory methodology was used to generate categories and themes. Our findings indicate that participants are aware of the implications of risk assessment calculations though very few tools are used regularly. Tool integration with EMR systems was felt to be essential in assisting tool usability, uptake and efficiency of use. Results provide insight into current risk assessment tool use and the facilitation of wider implementation of risk assessment tools in family practice settings.

Keywords: Health Risk Assessment Tools
Primary Care
Chronic Disease Prevention
Risk Assessment
Advisor: Grunfeld, Eva
Investigation of Bond Properties of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars in Concrete under Direct Tension

A study of existing research shows a need for an investigation of the bond properties of anchorage systems for GFRP bars including; straight, anchor heads and bends. The standard pullout test was modified to improve testing efficiency, accommodate bend tests, as well as reduce variability of concrete properties across specimens. Based on the results of the experimental work it was concluded that the surface profile of GFRP bars influences the post-peak phase of the bond stress-slip curve. It was also found that GFRP bars with anchor heads would still require a considerable embedment length to develop the bars’ full strength. Bend strengths of three GFRP manufacturers were determined to be between 58 and 80% of the strength of the straight portion of the same bar, while the development length of a two legged stirrup was found to be between five and ten times the bar diameter for all bar types.

Keywords: Bond
GFRP
Pullout
Concrete
Advisor: Sheikh, Shamim A.
Inhibition in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Inhibition, an important cognitive skill relying on frontal lobe function, is often deficient in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Spatiotemporal measures of brain activity were acquired using magnetoencephalography during a Go/No-go task with adolescents and adults with ASD and matched controls. During the task, participants responded to Go stimuli and withheld their response to No-go stimuli. Typical inhibitory network development was investigated in study 1. Adolescents displayed a distributed activity pattern, recruiting temporal and parietal regions, in addition to frontal areas, unlike adults. In study 2, inhibition was compared between individuals with and without ASD. Lateralization differences were found: adults with ASD activated the left and control adults recruited the right inferior prefrontal cortex. Adolescents with ASD recruited predominantly frontal regions, unlike their controls. Implications include immature inhibitory networks in typical adolescence and deficits in adolescents with ASD in recruiting distal cortical regions to supplement poor frontal lobe function.

Keywords: ASD
autism
neuroimaging
MEG
inhibition
Advisor: Anagnostou, Evdokia
Taylor, Margot
The Oral Health Status of Incarcerated Youth at a Toronto-area Youth Centre

Canadian correctional institutions provide dental services to incarcerated young people, but data on the dental health of these groups do not exist. Objective: To determine the oral health status of youth in a closed-custody youth facility in the country’s largest urban centre. Methods: A cross-sectional study of male and female youth incarcerated at a Toronto-area facility was conducted from September 2010 till July 2011. Participants completed a survey on social, correctional and dental histories, and underwent oral examination. Results: The 101 adolescent participants had a mean DMFT of 4.39 with 81.2% having DMFT>0. The proportion of DT when DMFT>0 was 0.51. Race, custody history and dental pain were indicators of poor oral health. Conclusions: By quantifying the need for dental services and by identifying variables associated with greater dental disease experience, these findings may assist health care providers in youth correctional facilities with their program planning for their high-needs wards.

Keywords: prisons
dental caries
oral health
youth
health services
survey
Advisor: Lawrence, Herenia P.
Evaluation of Test Methods for De-icer Scaling Resistance of Concrete

The standard ASTM C672 de-icer salt scaling resistance test has been found to be overly aggressive to concretes containing slag cement. It was compared to the newly proposed ASTM WK9367 method, based on the Quebec BNQ test, as well as several modifications, including use of an accelerated curing regime developed in Virginia (VADOT). Sixteen concrete mixtures were studied using high-alkali cement, low-alkali cement, grade 100 slag and grade 120 slag with slag contents of 0%, 20%, 35% and 50%. Vinsol resin air-entraining admixture was compared to Micro Air®. Reducing the water cement ratio from 0.42 to 0.38 had the biggest impact on improving scaling resistance of slag concretes. In general, increased slag contents increased scaling regardless of the test method used. The Micro Air® admixture provided a lower air void actor and higher hardened air content compared to Vinsol resin.

Keywords: de-icer, scaling, concrete, slag, high alkali, low alkali, grade 100 slag, grade 120 slag, RCPT, ASTM C672, BNQ, VADOT, air void analysis, NaCl, CaCl2, freezing and thawing, geotextile, freezing rate, accelerated curing
Advisor: Hooton, Robert Douglas
Localizing Structural and Functional Damage in the Neural Retina of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Studies demonstrate neuro-retinal damage in patients with diabetes and no clinically visible diabetic retinopathy. It is unknown which retinal regions are most vulnerable to diabetes. We hypothesized that the standard and slow-flash (sf-) multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) and adaptive optics (AO) imaging will localize retinal regions of vulnerability. Fifty-five adolescents with diabetes and 54 controls underwent mfERG testing to isolate predominately retinal bipolar cell activity and sf-mfERG testing to isolate three oscillatory potentials (OPs) from intraretinal amacrine and interplexiform cells. Greatest mfERG delays were in the superior temporal quadrant and at 5°-10° eccentricity. Greatest sf-mfERG delays were found at different eccentricities for each OP. Twenty adolescents with diabetes and 14 controls underwent AO imaging. No significant differences in cone photoreceptor density were found; however, patients showed a trend towards reduced density in the superior nasal region. Inner retinal structures may be more susceptible to damage by diabetes than outer retinal structures.

Keywords: Type 1 Diabetes
adolescents
diabetic retinopathy
multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG)
slow flash multifocal electroretinogram (sf-mfERG)
oscillatory potentials (OP)
adaptive optics (AO) retinal imaging
cone photoreceptor density
scanning laser ophthalmoscope
spatial mapping
neural retina
inner plexiform layer
dysfunction
localized damage
vulnerability
Advisor: Westall, Carol
Downstream Variability of Fluvial Form, Process, and Character in a Small Deglaciated Watershed, Southern Ontario

Many deglaciated watersheds possess complex longitudinal profiles and spatially variable sediment sources derived from the last glaciation. Accordingly, downstream patterns in fluvial forms and characteristics of the channel and floodplain may diverge from conventional ‘graded’ watershed models where channel slope decreases downstream. Within a small, deglaciated watershed, five distinct fluvial forms were identified and it was found that the watershed is organized in a spatially variable, but generally inverted arrangement with stable, low-energy forms dominating the upper watershed and more dynamic, high-energy forms in the lower watershed. As a consequence of this inverted and variable downstream succession, and the spatially erratic organization of glacial sediment sources, downstream trends in channel and floodplain characteristics are poorly defined, and in many cases, deviate from expected trends. This is most true for sedimentological variables where multiple co-dominant controls exist, while morphological and hydrological variables better conform to expected downstream trends.

Keywords: Channel morphology
Downstream adjustment
Glacial control
Floodplain sedimentology
Advisor: Desloges, Joseph R.
Functional Characterization of a Novel Substitution in the Human DNA Repair Protein APLF

APLF (Aprataxin and Polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase-Like Factor) is an FHA (forkhead-associated)-domain-containing nuclear protein that facilitates the repair of single-strand and double-strand breaks (SSBs and DSBs). Specifically, the APLF-FHA domain mediates interactions with XRCC1 and XRCC4, factors involved in SSB and DSB repair, respectively. A novel substitution was identified in pancreatic cancer patients, where a conserved histidine was substituted to leucine (H42L) in the APLF-FHA domain. The functional and biological characterization of this “variant of unknown significance” was investigated. This thesis shows that the H42L substitution affects APLF phosphorylation, impairs APLF retention at laser-induced DNA breaks, disrupts protein-binding to XRCC1 but not to XRCC4, and reduces cell survival following irradiation and etoposide exposure. Collectively, these data suggest that the H42L substitution impacts APLF participation in global DNA damage repair. The findings from this work could provide insight into the role of APLF in genomic integrity and, moreover, in cancer predisposition.

Keywords: APLF
FHA mutant
Advisor: Koch, Christine Anne
An Evaluation of the Reading Disabilities Candidate Genes DYX1C1 and ROBO1

Reading disabilities (RD) have a significant genetic basis and chromosomes 3p12-q13 and 15q15-21 have shown replicated linkage to RD or reading measures. This study evaluated two RD candidate genes within these regions: DYX1C1 on chromosome 15q21 and ROBO1 on chromosome 3p12. DYX1C1 was tested for association using a family-based analysis of two independent samples. No statistically significant association was observed between the 10 tested DYX1C1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and RD or any of the quantitative traits. A review and meta-analysis of the potentially functional SNPs at the -3G/A and 1249G/T positions did not find strong support for these alleles as risk alleles for RD. ROBO1 was also evaluated in this study using SNPs that previously showed association with memory and reading measures in a population-based sample. None of the SNPs showed significant association with RD or any of the quantitative traits after correction for multiple testing.

Keywords: Dyslexia
Reading Disabilities
Genetics
DYX1C1
ROBO1
Advisor: Barr, Cathy
Cost Barriers to Dental Care in Canada

Objective: To determine who avoids the dentist and declines recommended dental treatment due to cost. Methods: A secondary data analysis was undertaken. Weights were utilized to ensure data were nationally representative. Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regressions were used to observe the characteristics that were predictive of reporting cost barriers to care. Results: Over 17 per cent of the Canadian population reported avoiding a dental professional due to cost, and 16.5 per cent reported declining recommended dental treatment due to cost. These individuals had a higher prevalence of needing treatment, had more untreated decay, missing teeth, and reported having poor oral health and oral pain often. Having no insurance, lower income, and reporting “poor to fair” oral health were the greatest predictors of reporting cost barriers to care. Conclusions: Individuals who report cost barriers experience more disease and treatment needs than those who do not.

Keywords: access to care
dental insurance
inequities
dental visiting
oral health outcomes
health services accessibility
utilization
Advisor: Quiñonez, Carlos
Integration of Tissue-engineered Cartilage – An In Vitro Model

The ability of articular cartilage to self-repair after injury is limited due to the nature of the tissue. Biological repair is a promising treatment for cartilage injuries but success is limited by the ability to integrate with native cartilage. An in vitro model can be developed to investigate factors that regulate cartilage repair. A tissue engineered cartilage construct was placed into a host bovine osteochondral explant and cultured for 4 and 8 weeks. This same construct was cultured under stimulated and unstimulated conditions for 2 and 4 weeks. Autologous osteochondral implants served as controls. Integration was evaluated histologically, biochemically, biomechanically and for changes in gene expression. The tissue-engineered implants integrated over time whereas the autologous implants did not. Mechanical stimulation and prolonged incubation improved integration between implant and host tissue. An in vitro model of repair-native cartilage integration has been developed which is suitable for further study of tissue integration.

Keywords: chondrocytes
transplantation
tissue engineering
Advisor: Wunder, Jay
Newcomers and Social Inclusion in Peel Region, Ontario: Examining the Importance of Settlement Services

This research examines settlement services and their ability to provide assistance with social inclusion for newcomer youth in the Peel Region, Ontario. Focus groups are used to examine the experiences and perceptions of settlement services and their ability to enhance social inclusion among 44 newcomer youth. The findings indicate that newcomer youth have positive perceptions of settlement services. Furthermore, there are five arenas in which settlement services are assisting with social inclusion for newcomer youth. These include relational inclusion, labour market inclusion, spatial inclusion, educational inclusion, and socio-political inclusion. Additional research is required to examine the social inclusion impacts that settlement services have on newcomer youth over the life-course. Moreover, reconsidering government initiatives and policies involving funds for settlement services and community organizations is necessary.

Keywords: immigrant
youth
social inclusion
services
Advisor: Wilson, Kathi