VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Low-leakage asymmetric-cell SRAM

In this work a novel family of asymmetric dual-Vt Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell designs that reduce leakage power in caches while maintaining low access latency is introduced. The asymmetrical cell family is built on the following premise: select a preferred stored value and weaken, by increasing the threshold voltage, only those transistors necessary to drastically reduce leakage when this value is stored. The designs exploit the strong bias towards zero at the bit level exhibited by the memory values of ordinary programs. Relative to conventional symmetric high-performance cells, the asymmetric cells offer significant leakage reduction in the zero state and in some cases also in the one state albeit to a lesser extent. A unique senseamplifier, in combination with dummy bitlines, enables read times to be comparable to conventional symmetric cells. With one cell design, leakage is reduced by 7 times (in the zero state) with no performance degradation, but with a stability degradation of 6%. Another cell design reduces leakage by 2 times (in the zero state) with no performance or stability loss. An alternative cell design reduces leakage by 58 times (in the zero state) with a performance degradation of 1% and an area increase of 2% and no stability degradation.
Challenges in nanometre digital integrated circuit design

Technology trends, driven by the desire for higher transistor densities and faster devices, have led to transistor dimensions scaling into the nanometre regime. However, with this continued scaling, digital Integrated Circuits (ICs) have faced many challenges that include: increased leakage power dissipation, increased process variations of transistor parameters and increased sensitivity of ICs to ionizing radiation from terrestrial and cosmic sources. These challenges are having a significant effect on circuit performance and power, making it more difficult to design circuits that achieve a required specification. This thesis presents new techniques for addressing these challenges in digital circuits. First, a new Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell is presented that reduces gate leakage power in caches while maintaining low access latency and stability. The new cell design, compared to a conventional SRAM cell, has one additional transistor and exploits the strong bias towards logic-0 at the bit, level exhibited by the memory value stream of ordinary programs. Then, techniques for reducing leakage power in Field-Programmable-Gate-Array (FPGA) routing switches and look-up tables are presented; the new circuits significantly reduce the leakage power in those circuits with varying amounts of area and/or performance cost. Then a scheme to compensate for Within-Die (WID) variations in domino logic is presented; the new technique reduces the variation in leakage, delay and noise margin with a small area overhead. Finally a new methodology which takes into consideration the effect of WID process variations on a low-voltage parallel system is presented. The new methodology shows that in the presence of process variations one should use a higher supply voltage than would otherwise be predicted to minimize the power consumption of a parallel system. Next, circuit and architectural techniques that reduce the Soft-Error-Rate (SER) in a Content-Addressable Memory (CAM) are presented; the first technique augments a Ternary-CAM cell with extra transistors to make it more immune to soft errors, and the second technique, applicable to Binary-CAM cells, adds parity bits to each CAM word and then modifies the sensing scheme so that both a match and a one-bit miss constitute a successful search. The main cost of both of these schemes is increased area.
Multi-channel signal-processing integrated neural interfaces

THIS thesis presents two 0.35mum CMOS prototypes of multichannel integrated neural interfaces for distributed recording of neural activity in the brain. Each integrated neural interface contains 256 continuous-time recording channels, each comprised of a two-stage programmable gain amplifier and a bandpass filter with tunable cut-off frequencies. A parallel VLSI architecture with in-channel analog memory allows for truly simultaneous signal sampling. In-channel and peripheral switched capacitor circuits perform on-sensory-plane computationally expensive spatio-temporal signal processing in real time for applications such as data compression and pattern recognition. The circuits are optimized for low noise, low power and high density of integration as necessary for implantation. Golden and platinum 3-D electrode arrays are fabricated directly on the die surface for in vitro and in vivo experiments. An implantable microsystem comprised of an integrated neural interface prototype interfaced with a low-power high-throughput VLSI signal processor is validated in off-line epileptic seizure prediction.
The role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors in protein-induced suppression of food intake in rats

This research examined the hypothesis that suppression of food intake after protein ingestion in rats involves the Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. The primary objectives were to determine (1) whether GLP-1 receptor activation with exendin-4 (Ex-4) affected suppression of food intake by proteins; (2) the components of proteins with which Ex-4 affect suppression of food intake; and (3) the effect of co-administering protein with Ex-4 on the relation between putative signals for protein-induced satiety and food intake. Four studies involving a total of twelve experiments were conducted. Rats were given treatments by intraperitoneal and/or intragastric routes, and food intake and metabolic responses were measured at predetermined times. Both protein and Ex-4 reduced food intake when given alone. Co-administration resulted in suppression of food intake that is less than the sum of the suppression caused by each treatment alone, thus providing indirect evidence that protein-induced suppression of food intake involves activation of the GLP-1 receptor. This effect was observed after free amino acid mixtures, suggesting that amino acids arising from the digestion of protein are the primary signals mediating the involvement of the GLP-1 receptor in protein-induced suppression of food intake. Ex-4 also altered post-absorptive satiety signals arising from protein ingestion. Taken together, these results provide support for a role for GLP-1 receptors in protein-induced suppression of food intake in rats.
Development of morphological spelling strategies in second language learners with and without reading disability

This study examined the effects of language status and reading disability (RD) on children's spelling development of 2 inflectional morphemes: plural nouns and past tense verbs. The sample consisted of 46 English-as-a-second language (ESL) and 24 English-as-first language (EL1) students (35 non-RD, 35 RD) who were matched on a case-by-case basis on first language (L1) and non-verbal ability. The study (a) compared the development of morphological skills in spelling plural and past tense markers in ESL and EL1 students, (b) examined how correct spelling of stems relates to the spelling of the inflectional morphemes. Results indicated a similar pattern of development of the spelling of the target morphemes in ESLs and EL1s. Regardless of their L1, RD students lagged behind their non-RD counterparts. Children who spelled the stems correctly were more likely to spell accurately the inflectional morphemes. Implications are discussed within the context of ESL/EL1 and reading disabilities literature.
Investigation of coat weight distribution its influence on roughness changes during printing of paper

A non-destructive technique based on X-ray transmission imaging was developed to evaluate the local coat weight of paper at a high resolution (34mum) in ambient conditions. The coat weight and percentage of fibre coverage obtained using this method showed good agreement with coating thickness and coverage measurements based on scanning electron microscopy and burn-out test methods, respectively. Error analysis showed that the X-ray imaging method is capable of reporting local coat weights with an acceptable error. An optical profilometer was used to obtain the topographic map and average roughness of selected areas of coated paper samples before and after the application of controlled amounts of water. The average coat weights obtained with X-ray imaging showed a good correlation with the amount of absorbed water, and the change in roughness at the scale of fibre length (0.9mm x 1.2mm). However, at smaller scales (12.8mum), local coat weight was poorly correlated to the local swelling caused by the water application.
System software utilization of hardware performance monitoring information

Over the past several decades, microprocessors have evolved to assist system software in implementing new functionality or in improving the performance of programs. The relative abundance of available silicon may further motivate introducing new hardware features other than those that are directly required for executing code. The main focus of this dissertation is on how new hardware support can collect accurate performance data so as to enable system software in making more informed decisions in improving the performance of programs. First, we explore the problem of using Hardware Performance Counters (HPCs) to identify CPU bottlenecks accurately and efficiently. We address the problem of having a limited number of available HPCs by developing fine-grained HPC multiplexing that provides a large set of logical HPCs. We develop a simple and useful performance model, called stall breakdown to identify stressed processor components by focusing on cycles where the instruction completion stops. We generate the stall breakdown model by using HPC multiplexing online with negligible overhead. Secondly, we explore different methods of fine-grained data sampling at the hardware level. Using the continuous data sampling features of the IBM POWER5 processor, we identify a new technique to produce data samples based on their source, and in a case study, we demonstrate how to use source-based data samples to accurately characterize data sharing patterns among concurrent threads to effectively support sharing-aware schedulers. Finally, we propose novel hardware to track memory accesses at the granularity of virtual pages. Our proposed hardware is simple, efficient, and generic. We show how the proposed page access tracking hardware (PATH) can be used to improve performance in three different areas of memory management. In all three cases, we show that significant performance improvement can be achieved with negligible software overhead.
Evaluating the effect of an ozone delivery system on the reversal of dentin hypersensitivity

The effect of an ozone delivery system [HealOzone (KaVo GmbH)] in reducing dentin hypersensitivity (DH) was evaluated. Conclusion. The effect of treatment of hypersensitive teeth with ozone reduces the pain sensation, but this effect cannot be distinguished from the placebo treatment. In this study there was a large placebo effect that narrowed the range over which to detect treatment differences. Results. No subjects reported an increase in pain or any adverse effect. All subjects reported a clinically significant reduction of pain at each follow-up relative to baseline; however, the difference between the study groups was not statistically significant. Methods. An eight-week, three-visit, double-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial using two HealOzone machines (ozone/air) involving 44 subjects was conducted. The pain, stimulated by tactile and desiccation, was assessed using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Also, the global subjects' perception of sensitivity was assessed at each visit using the VAS.
Sandwich structures for high temperature applications: Microstructural development and mechanical performance

There has been a great deal of interest in the development of sandwich structures as viable engineering constructions. It is due to their unique structural, physical, and mechanical characteristics such as light weight, high strength to weight ratio, high bending stiffness, excellent thermal and acoustical insulation. Although the service temperature for most applications of sandwich structures is low, the outstanding properties make sandwich constructions attractive for use in high temperature service conditions as well. The overall performance of sandwich constructions depends on the material properties of skin and core, and their geometrical characteristics. The mechanical behavior of sandwich structures with skin thickness of 0.5 and 0.1 mm were examined under four point bending test. The flexural rigidity of the sandwich structures increased after heat treatment for both skin thicknesses, however the rigidity was found to be lower in all cases than the rigidity predicted by analytical models based on the measured properties of the constituents. The dominant failure mode observed for the sandwich samples with skin thicknesses of 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm were core yielding and skin indentation, respectively. An investigation of the characteristics of sandwich structures suitable for high temperature application is presented. The objective of the investigation was to develop a process for producing sandwich structures by depositing alloy 625 skins on Ni foam cores using air plasma spraying (APS), and to characterize the structure and mechanical behavior of the constituents and the sandwich structure. The experimental investigation consisted of optimization of deposition process parameters, microstructural and mechanical characterization of sandwich constituents and testing of mechanical performance of sandwich structures under flexural loading conditions. The responses of the as-received foam, as-sprayed coating, and as-fabricated sandwich structure to heat treatment were investigated. Available analytical models and numerical simulations linking the mechanical properties of the Ni alloy foam, the alloy 625 coating, and the sandwich structure to their physical properties and microstructures were compared with the results of mechanical testing to understand the behavior of the sandwich structure in terms of the properties of the constituents. An empirical model was developed to predict deposition parameters which simultaneously minimize the oxide content and the porosity in the alloy 625 coating. The optimum spraying conditions produced a coating with less than 4% oxide and less than 3% porosity. The elastic modulus of the as-sprayed coating increased from sim;10% of the value of conventionally processed alloy 625 material to sim;25% of that value after a 5 hour heat treatment at 1100°C. The ductility of the as-sprayed samples was as low as 1% compared to 15--20% for conventionally processed materials. The elastic modulus and yield stress of the as-received Ni alloy foam samples was also improved significantly by heat treatment.
An investigation of the size of tissue required for generation of spontaneous network rhythms in an intact hippocampal preparation

An intact hippocampal preparation in vitro exhibits spontaneous population rhythmic activities of 0.5-4 Hz. Conventionally, rodent hippocampal slices of â‰¤0.5 mm thickness have been used as a model system for in vitro electrophysiological studies of the hippocampus. However, due to limited network connectivity conventional slices do not consistently exhibit spontaneous population rhythms. Unlike conventional slices, 1 mm thick slices robustly exhibit spontaneous rhythms of 1-4 Hz. It has been suggested that a 1 mm slice may contain the circuitry sufficient for generation of spontaneous hippocampal population rhythms. We investigate this hypothesis using phase lag estimations from simultaneously recorded rhythms in an intact mouse hippocampal preparation. Our results indicate that the sufficient circuitry required for generation of spontaneous hippocampal network rhythms is most likely contained in smaller tissue lengths than 1 mm and may potentially be contained in tissue lengths of 0.5 mm.
Modeling of mechanical and thermal responses of paper coatings under compression using discrete element method

In this thesis, a dynamic discrete element model has been developed to study the mechanical properties of paper coatings under compression. The effects of pigment particle size and size distribution, pigment morphology, initial coating layer porosity, and latex stiffness and content on the compressive properties of the resulting coating layers have been investigated. By coupling heat transfer with the dynamic discrete element model, the effects of the simultaneous application of heat and pressure and toner and coating characteristics on toner layer temperature distribution in a hot roll Xerography fusing nip have been studied. Moreover, binders have been considered as real materials with their corresponding micro-properties in the coating structures in the simulations. Simulation results also showed that toner size, toner melting energy, and fusing roll temperature strongly affected the heat transfer rate while fusing pressure had an insignificant effect on the heat transferring process.
Compiler support for a multimedia system-on-chip architecture

The Multi-Level Computing Architecture (MLCA) is a novel parallel System-on-Chip architecture targeted for multimedia applications. Although it provides a simple programming model that eases porting of applications, the architecture requires the support of a compiler to deliver good performance. We design code transformations that increase the performance of MLCA programs. These code transformations are parameter deaggregation, buffer privatization, buffer replication and buffer renaming. We implement the code transformations in a prototype compiler which is based on the ORC compiler. We also provide an API for programmers to optionally give high level data access information to the compiler. Our experimental evaluation of the prototype compiler, using an MLCA simulator and real multimedia applications, shows that our code transformations generate MLCA programs that exhibit scaling speedups comparable to that of the manually ported versions of the applications.
Development of an interactive model for studying aerosol-climate interactions using the Canadian Aerosol Module---Canadian Climate Center General Circulation Model modeling framework

The Canadian Aerosol Module (CAM) was developed for simulating the atmospheric cycling of aerosols, with the Third Generation Canadian Climate Center General Circulation Model (CCC GCM III) as its climatological driver. By accounting dynamically for the direct radiative interactions of the CAM-simulated aerosols in the CCC GCM III, a model framework for simulating aerosol-climate interactions is established. This is realized by developing and integrating a more-accurate radiative transfer code for solar radiation computations, and another code for computing the optical parameters of aerosols. Model simulations using the radiative transfer code, which is developed based on the delta-four-stream (DFS) method, reveal significant changes in the GCM solar flux computations compared to the original scheme that uses less-accurate two-stream parameterization methods. Monthly-zonal averages of differences in the modeled fluxes are within 2 W m-2 for clear-sky and 10 W m-2 for whole-sky fluxes, with these differences exceeding 20 and -30 W m-2, respectively. The aerosol climatology and optical properties simulated by the established model framework are validated by comparison to observational data of aerosol surface concentration, sun-photometer, satellite, and lidar measurements. Fairly good agreement is found between modeled and measured aerosol optical properties. However, the validation suggests possible shortcomings in the simulated seasonal peaks and coarse-mode fractions of soil-dust aerosols, carbonaceous aerosol emissions and atmospheric loading of organic-carbon aerosols. The established model framework is applied to study the radiative effects of the two natural aerosol species, soil dust and sea salt. Modeled direct radiative effect of soil dust ( -0.60 to -0.82 W m-2, top-of-atmosphere global-annual mean) suggests a stronger overall cooling than estimates by other models ( -0.40 to 0.36 W m-2). Globally, sea-salt's shortwave indirect effect ( -0.38 W m-2) is found to be less than its direct effect ( -0.65 W m-2), but would exceed it over the remote oceanic regions of the Southern Hemisphere. These results provide the first global model estimates of the indirect radiative effect of sea-salt aerosol. While enabling more realistic climate simulations by the GCM, the established model framework can be applied to study various challenging research problems related to the radiative and climate effects of aerosols.
Mobilization of innate immune and stem progenitor cells post-myocardial infarction

Recent reports have been published on the exciting therapeutic potential for bone marrow- (BM) derived hematopoetic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization and differentiation in cardiac repair post-myocardial infarction (MI). Following cardiac ischemia, various cytokines/chemokine pathways are activated including stem cell factor (SCF), stromal derived factor (SDF1), FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) ligand, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), and stimulate the mobilization and homing of BM-derived and other organ derived cells to the site of injury. Mobilized cells have the capability to home to the site of cardiac injury and through various cell-to-cell signalling they can stimulate cytokine cascades and promote the survival of myocytes and new vessel formation, as well as reduce the necrotic scar formation and lead to an overall improvement of heart function. My thesis examined the therapeutic role of 3 mobilizing receptors and their ligands post-MI and the type of innate immune cells and HSPCs moblized into the circulation. The first study used c-kit deficient mice to examine the mechanistic contributions of c-kit+ BM-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in the maintenance and repair of damaged myocardium post-MI. The second study examined synergistic activity of c-KIT with FIt3 receptor. The third study explored cross talk between tyrosine kinase receptors with CXCR4 receptor in mobilizing innate immune cells and HSPCs, in cardiac remodeling and myocardial repair post-infarction.
Principles, prescriptions and polemics: Regulating conflicts of interest in the Canadian investment fund industry

Conflicts of interest permeate the Canadian investment fund industry. In response, securities regulators have promulgated National Instrument 81-107 Independent Review Committee for Investment Funds. In the view of securities regulators, NI 81-107 reflects a "principles-based" approach toward the regulation of conflicts of interest. This paper articulates a theoretical conception of principles-based securities regulation, one which transcends the formalism of the traditional "rules" versus "principles" debate to reveal a new regulatory paradigm. Thereafter, this paper explores whether and to what extent NI 81-107 truly reflects this principles-based paradigm, manifesting the potential to tap into its inherent wisdom while at the same time minimizing its potential drawbacks. Having reaped the fruits of this exploration, this paper concludes with a series of normative proposals respecting how securities regulators should approach both the regulation of conflicts of interest under NI 81-107 and, more broadly, the design of future principles-based regulatory mechanisms.

Keywords: Investments, Foreign, Law and legislation
Investments, Foreign, Canada
Securities, Canada