VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Preclinical Modeling of Treatment-induced Impulsivity in Parkinson's Disease

Dopamine agonist therapy and deep brain stimulation (DBS) are both linked to increased impulsivity in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We trained intact and PD-like rats on a rat gambling task (rGT) measuring impulsive choice and premature responding. Animals were then retested with/without treatment, pramipexole (PPX) or DBS, administered chronically prior to rGT testing. Early PD-like rats did not exhibit major differences in rGT performance or treatment response. Our work suggests that DBS and PPX are not intrinsically linked with increases in impulsivity. Neither DBS nor PPX disrupted gambling-like behaviour in our paradigm, while differential effects on premature and perseverant responding in the task were observed with treatment. Based on our findings, the previously reported ability of PPX to increase impulsive choice might not be mediated by the dopamine D3 receptor. Interestingly, our work suggests that the effects of STN-DBS on impulse control might be amplitude-dependent.

Keywords: impulsivity
gambling
deep brain stimulation (DBS)
Parkinson's disease
pramipexole
6-OHDA lesions
rat gambling task (rGT)
dopamine
basal ganglia
premature responding
DBS amplitude
subthalamic nucleus (STN)
entopeduncular nucleus (EPN)
impulsive choice
Advisor: Nobrega, José
Differences in Emotion Reactivity between Individuals with Features of Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression

Depression and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are highly comorbid and are both characteristic of affective disturbance. In this study, it is hypothesized that the disorders share a common etiological factor of emotion reactivity. In addition, an investigation of specific emotional experiences that may differentiate the two symptom clusters is undertaken. A mood induction task was used to elicit emotional reactions in a sample of 121 university students. Regression analyses were conducted to examine emotion reactivity as a common factor. Unique associations between specific emotions and features of BPD, depression, and an interaction term (BPDxDep) were investigated. It was found that all models tested were significant, with the exception of joy. Features of BPD were uniquely associated with sadness, guilt, and anger, as were depressive features. BPDxDep symptoms were negatively associated with guilt. A discussion of the findings obtained and their significance in theory and in practice is undertaken.

Keywords: Emotion Reactivity
Borderline Personality Disorder
Depression
Advisor: Uliaszek, Amanda
Hospital-based Visits and Admissions for Maxillofacial Injuries in Ontario: An 8-year Retrospective Study

Objectives: (1) To calculate rates for maxillofacial (MF) injury-related visits in emergency departments (EDs) and hospitals in Ontario; (2) To investigate socio-demographic distribution of MF injuries; (3) To identify common causes for MF injuries. Methods: An 8-year retrospective study design was implemented. Two datasets were used: Discharge Abstract Database and National Ambulatory Care Reporting System. Color-coded maps were created using ArcGIS. Results: From 2004 to 2012 in Ontario, 1,457,990 ED visits and 41,057 hospitalizations due to MF injuries were registered. MF injuries are most frequent in males and occur mainly in evenings (7:00 to 9:00 pm) and weekends. Higher rates of MF injury are seen in rural areas and low-income neighborhoods. The leading cause of MF injuries is falls. Conclusion: 3 out of 100 ED visits and 1 out of 200 hospitalizations were caused by MF injury. Male youth and female older people suffered high rates of MF injury.

Keywords: Health services research
Demand
Oral surgery
Utilization
Trauma
Fracture
Epidemiology
Maxillofacial surgery
ED visit
Hospitalization
Advisor: Azarpazhooh, Amir
Quiñonez, Carlos
A Conserved Family of ER Proteins NLF Regulate the Na+ Leak Channel NCA/NALCN in Caenorhabditis elegans and Mus musculus

Neuronal excitability is controlled by multiple ion channels at the plasma membrane of neurons. Recently, the Na+ leak channel, NCA in C. elegans and NALCN in M. Musculus, has been identified as the molecular entity responsible for the background Na+ leak at rest in neurons. In this thesis, I show that NLF-1 (NCA Localization Factor) and mouse NLF-1, a group of newly defined, uncharacterized proteins, are endoplasmic reticular proteins required for the trafficking of NCA-1 and NCA-2 to their target axonal membrane. In primary mouse cortical neurons, knockdown of mNLF-1 partially abolishes the background Na+ leak current. Furthermore, NLF-1 and mNLF-1 directly interact with domain II S5/P-loop/S6 of NALCN through a membrane yeast-two-hybrid assay. In C. elegans, this region is required in vivo in NCA-1 for it’s trafficking. Finally, I identify novel NLF-1 interacting partners through a MYTH assay.

Keywords: ER protein
trafficking
leak channel
Advisor: Zhen, Mei
Role of Hexokinase 2 (HK2) in Modulating Tumor Metabolism and Response to Therapy in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM), similar to many other cancers, exhibits enhanced aerobic glycolysis with concomitant lactate production, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. We have demonstrated that preferential expression of Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is a critical mediator of metabolic reprograming in GBMs and its inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy for sensitization of GBM tumors to radiation (RAD) and/or temozolomide (TMZ). Our results indicate that conditional HK2 inhibition disrupts energy homeostasis and sensitizes GBMs to radiochemotherapy under hypoxia. In GBM xenografts, conditional HK2 loss sensitizes GBM tumors to concomitant RAD/TMZ and results in a significant survival benefit in the mice. Moreover, loss of HK2 resulted in GBM remodeling with HK2 knockdowns showing increased necrosis, hypoxia, inflammatory infiltration and reduced vascularization. We anticipate that targeting a key metabolic enzyme involved in the Warburg effect might improve the efficacy of current therapeutic regimen and provide a unique paradigm for the management of GBMs.

Keywords: Metabolism
Glioblastoma
Advisor: McGlade, Jane
Zadeh, Gelareh
Development of a Housing over an Ultrasound Probe used to Monitor Coagulation during Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death by cancer for men. Focal therapy is being tested to target only the dominant cancer lesion in the prostate. However, due to the need to ensure that the laser is targeting only the cancer, a real-time treatment monitoring system is required. A combined optical-ultrasound monitoring system is in development at Princess Margaret Hospital based on different optical properties for coagulated versus normal tissue. In this project, we developed a light delivery and collection device that is compatible for use with an existing trans-rectal ultrasound-imaging probe. Computer-aided design software was used to visualize the prototype in relation to the trans-rectal ultrasound probe. This thesis describes the critical tasks necessary to assemble the final prototype, including listing of specifications, selection of device material based on safety and mechanical properties, method of prototype fabrication, positioning and fixation of optical fibers and testing.

Keywords: Biomedical
Fiberoptic Cables
Transrectal Ultrasound
Housing
DOT
Advisor: Weersink, Robert
Wilson, Brian Campbell
Experimental High Cycle Fatigue Testing and Shape Optimization of Turbine Blades

An accelerated high cycle fatigue testing approach is presented to determine the fatigue endurance limit of materials at high frequencies. Base excitation of a tapered plaque driven into a high frequency resonance mode allows the test to be completed in a significantly shorter time. This high cycle fatigue testing is performed using the tracked sine resonance search and dwell strategy. The controller monitors the structural health during the test. Any change in the dynamic response indicates crack initiation in the material. In addition, a shape optimization finite element model is conducted for the design of the tapered plaques. An integrated neural (Neural-Network) genetic (NSGA_II) optimization technique is implemented to carry out the shape optimization for this component. This process results in a significant reduction in the computational cost. A Pareto set is then produced that meets the designer&rsquo;s requirements and provides the decision maker several alternatives to choose from.

Keywords: High Cycle Fatigue
Shape Optimization
Sine Dwell Test
Genetic Algorithm
Turbine Blade
Advisor: Behdinan, Kamran
Computational Techniques for Detecting Coronary Atherosclerosis

Coronary atherosclerosis is one of the leading cause of mortality in developed countries, and is increasingly diagnosed via X-ray computed tomography. Due to the large resulting volume of data, recent research has been directed towards developing automated methods of screening CT scans for coronary atherosclerosis. This task typically consists of lumen extraction, plaque detection, plaque quantification, and material discrimination. In this paper, we describe a novel set of techniques for accomplishing the first three steps, which aim to provide higher precision than previous efforts. We also discuss how such a high-precision detection and quantification system could be used to significantly improve on the state of the art in material discrimination. Our methods extract lumen for 71.2% of centreline points, detect plaque with a detection sensitivity of 67% on CTA reference data, and quantify plaque with a linear weighted kappa coefficient of 0.08.

Keywords: Computer vision
Computer-aided diagnosis
Coronary atherosclerosis
Advisor: Wong, Willy
A Numerical Model for Oil/water Separation from an Accelerating Oil-coated Solid Particle

A computational fluid dynamics model has been developed to examine the separation of an oil film from a spherical oil-coated particle falling through quiescent water due to gravity. Using this model, the separation process was studied as a function of the viscosity ratio of oil to water, R, and the ratio of viscous forces to surface tension, represented by the Capillary number Ca. The governing equations of this flow-induced motion are derived in a non-inertial spherical coordinate system, and discretized using a finite volume approach. The Volume-of-Fluid method is used to capture the oil/water interface. The model predicts two mechanisms for oil separation: at R less than 1, the shear difference between the particle/oil interface and the oil/water interface is not significant and Ca determines whether separation occurs or not; at R larger than 1, the shear difference is considerable, and the Ca effect becomes less dominant.

Keywords: Multi-phase flow
Non-inertial coordinate system
Computational fluid dynamics
Flotation
Oil sands
Spherical coordinate system
Liquid/liquid separation
Advisor: Bussmann, Markus
Acosta, Edgar
Ontario's Daily Physical Activity Policy: Exploring the How and Why of Implementation by Teachers

Daily Physical Activity (DPA) is one component of Ontario&rsquo;s Healthy Schools strategy. This case study of two schools in geographically and culturally diverse contexts explores DPA implementation according to the focus areas of the Ministry of Education. The conceptual framework of Clune (1990) was employed to explore implementation according to three perspectives, revealing disconnects between the policy mandate and educational contexts, as well as potential improvements to the current policy. It was found that time constraints are the most prominent barrier to DPA implementation, and that the primary focus of DPA for educators is often provision, but not quality, of daily physical activities. It was also found that teachers&rsquo; perceptions of policy importance are a stronger predictor of implementation than a supportive school administration, given there is no conflict with other school policies. Recommendations for policy revisions are provided based on the findings.

Keywords: education policy
daily physical activity
policy evaluation
Advisor: Campbell, Carol
The Experiences of Mornelle Court Youth with Secondary School Streaming in Scarborough, Ontario

Streaming involves dividing students at varying levels of education into distinct “streams” or “tracks”, each with its own set of future academic options. This qualitative study investigated the experiences of youth and their families in Mornelle Court, Scarborough, Ontario. Through bringing youth voices to the fore, this thesis addresses a critical research gap. Overall it was found that: (i) the streaming placement of these youth was not determined by their desire to pursue a specific profession; (ii) the youths and their parents did not have adequate information on streaming; (iii) there were strained relationships between students of different streams; (iv) for youths who attempted it, moving from less to more academic streams was not possible; and (v) there were clear race and class biases affecting stream placement. This study serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, educational practitioners, and the public at large.

Keywords: High school
Tracking
racism
streaming
qualitative
classism
secondary
elementary
Mornelle
scarborough
ontario
schools
Advisor: Dei, George Jerry Sefa
The Impact of Text Reader Training and Teacher Strategies on a Six-week Reading Program

This study investigates the effects of intensive remediation in reading and assistive technology skills combined with the use of a computer based text to speech reader in a six-week intensive reading program for junior-age students with reading disabilities. The study reports on the strategies used by the teachers, week-by-week student progress, and the results of a criterion-referenced reading assessment. Other themes include student attitudes towards the technology and barriers to implementation. Findings indicate that a computer based text to speech reader provides significant compensatory support, resulting in improved fluency and comprehension scores. Students using technology were able to access paper and on-line text at a higher level. A model which builds on the work of Dyck and Pemberton (2002) and Edyburn (2004b, 2007) is proposed which provides a theoretical framework to assist schools in decisions about remediation or compensation for struggling readers in primary, junior, intermediate, and senior grades.

Keywords: assistive technology
reading
compensation
remediation
text to speech
computer
disabilities
teacher strategies
Advisor: Heywood, Daphne M.
Identity and Biliteracy Development: A Case Study in an English/Mandarin Transitional Bilingual Education Program

The study investigated the role of identity investment in the context of an English/Mandarin transitional bilingual education (TBE) program in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Fifteen students from Grades 1 to 3 and one teacher in the program participated in my research. Students were individually interviewed about how they viewed their identities along a continuum ranging from “Canadian” to “Chinese-Canadian” to “Chinese”. Students’ scores on bilingual vocabulary and reading measures were analyzed together with data provided by parents on language use and literacy practices at home. The research revealed that students manifested a range of identity configurations depending on language use at home and these identity configurations were related to students’ performance on the bilingual language and literacy measures. The findings, although tentative due to the small sample size, suggest that teachers should focus on affirming students’ bilingual and bicultural identities as a means of encouraging the development of bilingual proficiency.

Keywords: Identity
Bilingual education
English
Mandarin
Advisor: Cummins, James
Writing Affect: Aesthetic Space, Contemplative Practice and the Self

In this thesis I explore writers and their writing practices as embodied, contingent, and affected by aesthetic environments and contemplative practices. I discuss contemplative practices as techniques for recognizing the co-dependent origination of the self/world, and as tools for disrupting the trifurcation of body, mind and word. I explore the written word’s role in the continuous production of new meaning, and as part of the continuous production of new “selves” for writers, and readers. I use narrative auto-ethnography to situate myself as a researcher, sensory ethnography and interviews to profile four practicing writers, and arts-informed Research-creation to document my own writing and contemplative practices. I also consider whether a post-pedagogy view of educational research might produce/allow space for more creative approaches to educational theorizing.

Keywords: Writing
Aesthetic Space
Contemplative Practice
Arts-Based Research-Creation
Post-Pedagogy
Advisor: Springgay, Stephanie
When Borders Cross People: Bill C-31 and the Securitization of Boundaries Across Bodies and History

Bill C-31 represents an important piece of policy in the history of Canadian citizenship. It takes its place in a dialog of policy and resistance about who &lsquo;gets in&rsquo; and who is excluded from Canadian citizenship. By critically reading the text of Bill C-31 through other policy texts, academic arguments and research, and activist texts, this analysis elucidates historical connections between relations of capital, immigration, labour, and the criminal justice system. It works from a materialist feminist framework, critical of race, gender, class, and sexual orientation as systems that work through one another in dialectical and historically specific ways. The analysis argues that Bill C-31 is a continuation of relations of capital and that a dialectical conceptualization can yield strategies for a revolutionary praxis that offers hope for the transformation of existing social relations towards new and more humane ways of relating to one another.

Keywords: borders
dialectical
queer
materialist
Bill C-31
immigration
racism
refugees
temporary foreign workers
security
Advisor: Mojab, Shahrzad
Silent Voices: An Exploratory Study of Caribbean Immigrant Parents' and Children's Interaction with Teachers in Toronto

One of the challenges that Caribbean immigrant parents and children face as they settle into their new environment is interacting with teachers using their variety of English. This study seeks to explore the experiences of Caribbean immigrant parents and their children in their interactions with teachers in Toronto and the perceptions that they have about these interactions. The author’s purpose is to bring voice to their language encounters. Qualitative analysis is utilized throughout the general discussion of the study. Using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenology approach, data was collected through semi-structured interviews from a sample of six immigrant parents and seven children within Toronto. The central themes that emerge from the data are organized under the four research questions. The results of the research may assist policy makers, educators, teachers, and support staff who plan and implement programs geared towards enhancing the interaction between themselves and Caribbean immigrant students and parents.

Keywords: Caribbean Immigrants
Caribbean Variety of English
Advisor: Gagne, Antoinette
Attawapiskat: The Politics of Emergency

This thesis investigates the politics of representation of Indigenous peoples in Canadian media. Using a case study of the 2011 housing crisis at Attawapiskat First Nation, I argue that emergency on reserve is constructed as Indigenous failure in mainstream print media and that these discourses work to construct a racialized national imaginary. Canadians are produced as benevolent through learning about Indigenous failure, and through their own capacity to assist and care for them. I have argued that this is a nation building practice of settler colonialism; it is inextricably linked to reclaiming ownership of land, and manufacturing legitimacy for the Canadian nation. This thesis traces these constructions through both mainstream, and alternative and independent media, and follows how these discourses invite white Settlers into a position of racial superiority. Examining ideas of goodness and innocence that condition Canadian identity, I offer strategies and limitations for anti-colonial engagement with Indigenous emergency.

Keywords: Settler Colonialism
Race
Canadian Media
Politics of Representation
Whitness
White Settler Society
Advisor: Razack, Sherene
The Rise and Fall of the University of Toronto's Innovations Foundation: Lessons from Canadian Technology Transfer

This study explains the rise and fall of the Innovations Foundation, the University of Toronto's first office dedicated to the transfer of university-developed technologies to industry. Drawing on extensive archival research, ten interviews with key informants, and other sources, the case study traces the evolution of the Foundation from its launch in 1980 to its closure in 2006. The study delineates three distinct business models under which the Foundation operated from 1980 to 1990, 1990 to 1999, and 1999 to 2006. The reasons for the adoption and failure of each model are explored and a historically grounded, context-sensitive explanation of the university's decision to dismantle the Foundation in 2006 is provided. This explanation emphasizes the importance of managing unrealistic expectations for Canadian university technology transfer, and adds weight to a growing consensus on the importance of historical path-dependence as a conceptual tool for understanding the persistence of differentials in technology transfer performance among universities.

Keywords: University Technology Transfer
Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
Entrepreneurship
Path-dependence
Commercialization
University Research
Canadian Universities
Technology Start-ups
Technology Licensing
Intellectual Property Policy
Advisor: Sá, Creso
Personal-professional Interconnections: Contextualizing Teachers' Use of Information and Communication Technologies in the Classroom

Teachers' use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the classroom has largely been studied to date with a focus on what is lacking. An important aspect that seems to have been understudied is how teachers' own histories and experiences of ICT connects to their teaching practices - in essence, focussing on what is 'present' and not what is 'missing'. This study examines five teachers working in the same school, but working very differently with ICT in their classrooms. The narratives of their lived experiences highlight the acquisition of their beliefs, attitudes and their in situ behaviours about the role of ICT in the classroom. A critical look at the factors responsible for shaping such behaviours suggests the value of understanding individuals' experiences when planning for technology-utilization, rather than prescribing a &quot;teacher-proof&quot; (Connelly &amp; Clandinin, 1988) approach to technology uptake.

Keywords: Educational Technology
Critical look at ICT in schools
Teacher Narratives
Teachers' use of ICT
Personal-Professional interconnections
Differing perspectives
Lived experience with technology
Advisor: Brett, Clare