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Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
Evaluating, planning, and ranking of multi-infeed HVDC systems using unified control performance indices
(2026-03-02) Jin, Keke; Fernando, Ioni (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Filizadeh, Shaahin (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Zhou, Jenny (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Gole, Aniruddha
Modernizing multi-infeed HVDC corridors increasingly involves replacing aging line-commutated converters with voltage-sourced converters to improve controllability and fault resilience. However, conventional planning indices remain largely static and are often treated as separate metrics, making it difficult to consistently rank modernization options across a defined contingency set. This thesis proposes a streamlined screening method based on Control Performance Indices (CPIs) that summarizes post-fault recovery by penalizing deviation magnitude and persistence. The approach evaluates voltage, frequency, and DC power trajectories and organizes the results into a station-by-contingency CPI matrix. Structured aggregation produces an event-level index for ranking contingency severity, a station-level index for identifying vulnerable terminals, and system-level metrics for comparing alternatives through a reference benchmark. The framework is validated on a three-bipole Manitoba Hydro modernization scenario and yields consistent rankings across converter topologies, ratings, and control modes; among the cases studied, a higher-rated VSC–VSC configuration with inverter AC-voltage control delivers the most robust post-fault performance under the evaluated fault set. The method is further extended to low-voltage ride-through assessment by mapping fault duration and retained voltage to a capability surface and is implemented as a Python-based automation workflow to ensure repeatable, auditable planning studies.
Access status: Open Access ,
Investigating human iNKT cell function, exhaustion and in vitro anti-LAG-3 and anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibition in HIV infection
(2026-03-07) Balasko, Allison; Keynan, Yoav (Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases); Yao, Xio-Jian (Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases); Kung, Sam (Immunology); Guzzo, Christina (University of Toronto Scarborough); Fowke, Keith
Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are dynamic lymphocytes critical in anti-HIV immunity. Immune dysfunction persists in people living with HIV (PLWH) despite ART initiation and viral suppression but is different in immunological responders (IR) versus non-responders (INR) status defined as CD4/CD8 of ≥ 1 or <1, respectively. Further, development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting immune checkpoints (ICs) PD-1 and LAG-3 warrants research elucidating IC-related dysfunction of iNKT and T cells in PLWH, and in vitro assessment of LAG-3 and PD-1 ICIs on iNKT and T cell function. The overall hypothesis is that ICs LAG-3 and PD-1 regulate iNKT cell activation in healthy conditions and are associated with iNKT and T cell dysfunction in chronic HIV infection, and by blocking LAG-3 and/or PD-1 with ICIs in vitro, iNKT and T cell function will be enhanced. Studies utilizing PBMCs from healthy donors led to the development a novel in vitro CD1d-tetramer iNKT stimulation which was as effective as the ⍺-GalCer gold-standard iNKT stimulant, as well as determined iNKT cell PD-1 and LAG-3 expression peaked after 2-4 days of activation and was inversely related to cell function. Utilizing PBMCs from PLWH, there was a unique ex vivo CD4+ iNKT cell phenotype in the INR subgroup and a dysfunctional state of CD4- CD8- double-negative (DN) iNKT cells upon stimulation in the INR subgroup. There was significantly enhanced proliferation and activation of iNKT cells in response to the in vitro dual LAG-3+PD-1 ICIs. In studying PBMCs of PLWH, there was also an altered ex vivo CD8+ T cell phenotype in the HIV group with instances of dysfunction of memory CD8+ T cells in INR subgroup. Further, there was significantly enhanced memory CD8+ T cell function in response to in vitro dual LAG-3+PD-1 ICIs during Gag/Nef peptide stimulation. Overall, this study provides evidence of targeting immune checkpoints LAG-3 and PD-1 in enhancing in vitro iNKT and T cell function in the context of HIV-1 infection. Future directions include understanding the effects of harnessing iNKT cell function in PLWH as a feasible immunotherapeutic option and its potential as a focus of future clinical investigation.
Access status: Open Access ,
Linguistic environment of Persian-learning infants in Iran: quantity and prosodic characteristics of caregiver speech
(2026-03-06) Montazeri, Sara; Ghomeshi, Jila (Linguistics); Glenwright, Melanie (Psychology); Li, Johnson (Psychology); Kamyabi Gol, Atiyeh (Ferdowsi University); Ferjan Ramírez, Naja (University of Washington); Soderstrom, Melanie
The language environment of infants—particularly the characteristics of caregiver speech—plays a central role in early language development. Although infant-directed speech (IDS) has been extensively examined in WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic) contexts, its features in Middle Eastern (ME) settings remain understudied, limiting cross-cultural understanding. Existing ME studies mainly offer qualitative descriptions or examine limited IDS features using small samples, and quantitative acoustic analyses—especially those from naturalistic longform recordings—are almost absent. No prior research has investigated speech quantity, prosodic characteristics, or developmental changes in IDS among Persian infants. Addressing this gap, this dissertation investigates the linguistic input of infants in Iran, focusing on speech quantity and the prosodic characteristics of IDS in Persian mothers. This study used the Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) system, analyzing ~605 hours of home audio recordings from 50 infants (6–13 months) in Mashhad, Iran, supplemented by demographic questionnaires, automated and manual annotations, and acoustic analyses. Adult speech quantity and prosodic features of IDS were examined using multiple regressions, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and linear mixed-effects models in R to evaluate: (1) associations between infant age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES) and adult speech quantity; (2) gender differences in speech input; and (3) prosodic modifications in IDS and their developmental changes. Cross-linguistic comparisons situate Persian IDS within broader global patterns. Key findings were: (1) Adult Word Count (AWC) was not significantly associated with infant age, sex, or caregiver SES. (2) Infants heard significantly more speech from female than male adult speakers, with a gender gap larger than those reported in many Western samples. (3) Mothers tended to use higher mean pitch, greater pitch variability, and shorter utterances in IDS relative to adult-directed speech (ADS). (4) None of the prosodic features in Persian IDS showed strong evidence of developmental change across the 6–13-month age range. (5) Cross-linguistically, Persian IDS ranked among the highest for mean pitch and medium-to-high for pitch variability. This dissertation provides the first large-scale, naturalistic evidence on the linguistic environment of Persian-learning infants in Iran and highlights the importance of including underrepresented ME contexts in early language development research.
Access status: Open Access ,
Computer vision-enhanced human-robot interaction using a 7 DOF manipulator with application to rehabilitation
(2026-02-24) Parvanesekam, Saeid; Balakrishnan, Subramaniam (Mechanical Engineering); Peng, Ke (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Sepehri, Nariman
Human-robot Interaction (HRI) plays a crucial role in enabling robots to operate safely alongside a human's upper extremity in a rehabilitation environment. This thesis focuses on the design and implementation of a robust HRI system using a 7 degree-of-freedom (DoF) robot for potential use in upper extremity rehabilitation and motor recovery. The system is designed to support multiple interaction modes, including passive, resistive, and assistive modes, tailored to the potential participant's physical capabilities and rehabilitation needs. A real-time vision system enables the 3D visualization of the human body movement and simulation of the robot in a shared simulation environment. Utilizing a camera and pre-trained models, the human body keypoints and the robot's base frame are detected. This visualization enables precise, real-time monitoring of human body movements, primarily in the robot's proximity. To boost participants' engagement and therapeutic outcomes, a custom 2D interactive game was created where participants control a paddle to catch a moving ball, emphasizing shoulder joint movement. The paddle is connected to the robot's end-effector, enabling control through physical movement. The robot provides dynamic assistance or resistance based on the selected mode, making the system adaptable for patients with different levels of motor ability. The game-based interface is designed to motivate participation and support rehabilitation through repeated, goal-focused motor exercises for the shoulder joint. The safe and real-time integration of vision-based human motion capture, multimodal robotic interaction, and gamified therapy creates a versatile platform for potential neurological rehabilitation. This work contributes to the growing field of assistive robotics by providing a scalable, interactive solution that can support physical therapy while maintaining user engagement.
Access status: Embargo ,
A game-based robotic exoskeleton manipulandum device for fingers-thumb rehabilitation
(2026-02-10) Kheiriyeh, Seyed Amir Ali; Szturm, Tony (Physical Therapy); McLeod, Robert D. (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Sepehri, Nariman
Neurorehabilitation, a multidisciplinary approach, aims to restore function and improve quality of life for individuals with neurological impairments, primarily those recovering from stroke, as well as individuals with spinal cord injuries, and children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Its effectiveness relies on neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize neural networks by forming new connections. Traditional recovery programs involve therapy visits, but progress is slow, costly, and requires in-person attendance. These challenges, along with the repetitive nature of rehabilitation exercises, lead to a lack of motivation to adhere to therapy. Robotic interventions allow delivery of repetitive rehabilitation exercises, lifting the burden from both therapists and patients by reducing clinical visits and enabling remote exercise engagements. This thesis presents a user-friendly 3D-printed robotic rehabilitation device with two degrees of freedom to rehabilitate the thumb’s Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint and index and middle fingers’ metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The 3D-printing method allows rapid design and fabrication of user-specific models. A pneumatic actuator enables various controlling methods to deliver assistive and challenging exercises with adjustable actuating force. To promote engagement with therapy and stimulate cognitive functions to accelerate progress, the device integrates with games. Patients interact with the gaming environment and play games while pursuing their rehabilitative exercises. This study developed a method that enables a rehabilitation game to communicate with a fingers–thumb device to apply assistive or resistive forces in response to in-game events, thereby device could manipulate fingers and thumb movements. In addition, the device was programmed to be compatible with commercial games while preserving force application for fingers and thumb manipulation through actuation modes independent of game events, including random force generation, unidirectional actuator extension or retraction, and passive (no-force) operation. The device’s functionality has been evaluated with four subjects who were experts in rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Collected data revealed that random force mode was the most challenging to control. Assistive methods enhanced performance by decreasing response and movement times and achieving a higher success rate in the game. Resistance modes challenged subjects in movement management, thus increasing movement and response times while reducing success rates. This work introduces a lightweight robotic fingers–thumb manipulandum that integrates contextual, goal-directed movements into the neurorehabilitation of the index and middle fingers at the MCP joint and the thumb at the CMC joint. By supporting personalized and effective rehabilitation strategies and home-based use, the proposed system expands access to rehabilitation through tele-rehabilitation and remote clinical supervision.
Access status: Open Access ,
The impact of COVID-19 vaccine distribution channels on equity-deserving populations: a Canadian population-based cohort study using administrative data
(BMC, 2026-01-09) Katz, Alan; Aubrey-Bassler, Kris; Aghajafari, Fariba; Fransoo, Gillian; Ivers, Noah M.; Kwong, Jeffrey C.; Moineddin, Rahim; Nguyen, Lena; Saj, Danielle; Taylor, Carole; Upshur, Ross E. G.; Woodrow, Jennifer; Wong, Sabrina T.; Xiong, Hui; Aggarwal, Monica
Background: Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among equity-deserving populations was a challenge throughout the Canadian vaccination campaign. This necessitated the implementation of vaccine distribution strategies that targeted specific populations. As a result, different vaccine channels were introduced in each province. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of COVID-19 vaccine distribution channels on short-term vaccination rates amongst equity-deserving populations. Methods: Retrospective, population-based cohort using linked administrative claims data based in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The study population included all residents, 12 years and older, who were living in one of the three provinces with at least 1 day of health coverage between Jan 1, 2021, and Dec 31, 2021. The index event was receiving one COVID-19 vaccination. Difference-in-differences analyses were used to evaluate the impact of various COVID-19 vaccine distribution channels, such as directed at-risk, mass vaccination clinics, pharmacies, primary care offices, and long-term care facilities, on the gap in vaccination coverage between select equity-deserving and non-equity deserving populations. The equity-deserving populations included having lower household income, identifying as a visible minority, being a recent immigrant, and being an adult without a high school diploma. Results: The total COVID-19-vaccinated population as of December 31, 2021 was 998,906 (85% of total population) in Manitoba, 10,866,548 (89% of total population) in Ontario, and 485,901 (99% of total population) in Newfoundland and Labrador. The analyses were limited by significant data challenges; data on where (which channel) specific individuals received their vaccination were limited. Though findings were mixed, in general, the COVID-19 vaccine coverage one month after the initiation of a new vaccine distribution channel increased less for the equity deserving groups than those of the general population. Conclusion: An increase in the observed equity gaps immediately after new vaccine channel introductions may be explained by new channels providing vaccines at a lower volume than mass-vaccination clinics or may reflect limitations in the data infrastructure. The collection of uniform data across Canada should be prioritized to facilitate comprehensive evaluation of the health system response to future pandemics, including the ability to monitor the impact of the response on population inequities.
Access status: Open Access ,
Religion and public health: conceptualization and collaboration from a public health perspective
(BMC, 2026-01-29) Arora, Anish K.; Ehsani, Johnathon; Resnick, Beth; Dechtiar, Yovania; Hatala, Andrew
Background: Religion and public health, when understood in their broadest sense, are systems of knowledge and practice that seek to improve the wellbeing of people and populations. With over 75.8% of the global population identifying with some form of religious belief, understanding how the public health community conceptualizes religion and engages with it is essential for meaningful collaboration. The purpose of this study is to explore the conceptualizations of and relationships between religion and public health, focusing on public health practitioners’ experiences in engaging with religious communities. Methods: This qualitative study involved interviews with 15 North American public health practitioners across diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, examining their perspectives on religion’s role in health interventions, with a particular focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Using a framework analysis, three key thematic areas emerged, including: (1) Conceptualizations of religion and how it contributes to individual and collective wellbeing; (2) Current relationship between public health and religion; and (3) Opportunities for and strategies to establish deeper collaboration. The results reveal a strong perception among public health professionals that religious communities are being engaged in an instrumental and transactional manner to achieve public health’s agenda, rather than as true partners that co-design health interventions. While some religious communities are compliant with such interactions, many are reluctant in engaging with public health communities. To move away from instrumental and transactional interactions to meaningful engagement, interviewees share numerous strategies consistent with the principles of community-engaged research (e.g., engaging with religious communities with sincerity, humility, transparency, and valuing the knowledge these communities possess). Discussion: The findings suggest that the prerequisites for effective engagement between public health and religious communities is based on foundational principles such as trust, transparency, and the need to identify points of commonality in order to organically work towards improving the health and wellbeing of communities. Putting these principles into practice raises questions about concepts such as expertise, access to knowledge, problem identification, and prioritization. In addition, it challenges the current structures and financing mechanisms for public health practice. Integration of religion into public health education could serve as a foundation to foster more inclusive and integrative public health practice. While more research must be conducted with broader samples, insights from this study underscore the potential for more inclusive public health approaches that better address the diverse spiritual and cultural landscapes of global populations.
Access status: Open Access ,
The INITIATE (Initial Test for Fall Risk Assessment in the Elderly) prospective cohort study: baseline results
(BMC, 2025-12-06) Saunders, Stephanie; Kuspinar, Ayse; Sibley, Kathryn; D’Amore, Cassandra; Noble, Tara; Griffith, Lauren E.; Raina, Parminder; Richardson, Julie; Speechley, Mark; Beauchamp, Marla K.
Background: Fall prevention recommendations include mobility or balance testing to identify older adults with high fall risk who require further intervention. However, there is no consensus on the best tests or optimal cut-off values. The Initial Test for Fall RIsk Assessment in The Elderly (INITIATE) study was designed to determine the optimal screening test(s) for predicting falls among community-dwelling older adults. Here we describe the study protocol, sample characteristics, and baseline differences between participants with and without a history of falling. Methods: We undertook a 1-year prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older adults (≥ 65 years) able to walk 10 m without assistance at baseline and living in Ontario, Canada. Participants underwent a 2-hour baseline visit where 7 validated balance and mobility tests (Timed up and go (TUG) usual pace, TUG fast pace, TUG with a cognitive dual task, Brief Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), 5 times sit-to-stand (5TSTS), single leg stance, gait speed) were administered. Falls were tracked for 12 months using monthly diaries and follow-up calls for context. Participants received quarterly calls to monitor general wellbeing, healthcare utilization, and changes to mobility. Descriptive statistics were calculated and differences by 12-month fall history were tested using t-tests, chi square tests, and Wilcox Rank Sum tests as appropriate. Results: From 3211 contacted older adults, 514 (19%) consented. The mean age was 76.4 years (SD 6.7), 64% were female, 68% had a postsecondary degree/diploma, and 231(45%) reported a fall in the last 12 months. Means(SD) for the performance-based tests were as follows: TUG = 11.8s(4.0), TUG fast pace = 9.2s(3.4), TUG cog = 14.2s(5.9), Brief BESTest = 15.9 score(5.3), 5TSTS = 12.5s(4.3), single leg stance = 14.1s(16.3), gait speed = 1.14 m/s(0.28). Comparisons between baseline fallers and non-fallers showed no differences in age, sex, income, or education(p > 0.05) but did show differences in all 7 tests(p < 0.05). Conclusions: Participants are representative of community-dwelling older adults with fall risk. Balance and mobility test differences between fallers and non-fallers support the need for prospective comparisons of their predictive validity. Follow-up results, expected in late 2025, will help inform future updates to fall risk assessment and prevention guidelines.
Access status: Open Access ,
Genome-wide identification of ethylene receptor protein-coding gene families in wheat and their regulated expression during development and under multiple abiotic stresses
(BMC, 2026-01-26) Koramutla, Murali K.; NEGI, MANISHA ; Sharma, Deepak; Ayele, Belay T.
Background: Ethylene regulates many plant growth and developmental processes and mediates plant-environment interactions. Ethylene signal in plants is perceived by transmembrane ethylene receptor proteins (ETRs), which initiate a cascade downstream signaling events that regulate the expression of ethylene responsive genes. However, the identity and roles of ETRs in wheat remain to be investigated. This study performed genome-wide identification and characterization of ETR genes in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its tetraploid and diploid progenitors. Results: A total of 18 homoeologues of six TaETR genes were identified in the genome of hexaploid wheat, namely TaERS1, TaERS2, TaETR2, TaETR3, TaETR4 and TaETR5, which are distributed unevenly over 4 chromosomes in each of the three subgenomes. These genes typically consist of 1 to 7 exons and 0 to 6 introns, and the exons/introns number in TaETR homoeologues varies with their subgenome origin. The TaETR proteins consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 domains, of which cGMP phosphodiesterases/adenylyl cyclases/FhlA (GAF) is a conserved domain. Analysis of the promoter sequences of TaETR genes revealed the presence of eight groups of cis-regulatory elements, which includes hormone and stress responsive elements. Using publicly available transcriptomic data and qRT-PCR, we found that TaETR genes exhibit tissue and stage specific expression patterns during wheat development and differential response to multiple abiotic stresses. The study also characterized ETR genes from the tetraploid and diploid progenitors of hexaploid wheat, T. turgidum ssp. dicoccoides and Aegilops tauschii, respectively. Conclusion: Ethylene is an important regulator of crop traits of agronomic and economic importance. This study identified ETR genes of wheat and predicted their potential roles during wheat growth and development as well as its interaction with the surrounding environment.
Access status: Open Access ,
Study protocol for a pragmatic, cluster, randomized controlled trial of a multifaceted fracture prevention model for long-term care: the PREVENT trial
(BMC, 2026-01-09) Papaioannou, Alexandra; Feldman, Sidney; Katz, Paul; Costa, Andrew P.; Kennedy, Courtney C.; Adachi, Jonathan D.; Boyd, Hugh; Giangregorio, Lora; Heckman, George; Hewston, Patricia; Hirdes, John; Holroyd-Leduc, Jayna; Howard, Michelle; Ho, Joanne; Jaglal, Susan; Kaasalainen, Sharon; Kristof, Lorand; Lau, Arthur; Lee, Justin; McArthur, Caitlin; Marr, Sharon; O’Donnell, Denis; Rodrigues, Isabel B.; Shankardass, Kanwal; Siu, Henry; Straus, Sharon; Thrall, Samuel; Tarride, Jean-Eric; Thabane, Lehana; Hafid, Shuaib; Tung, Jennifer; Hillier, Loretta M.; Kane, Lauren L.; Azizudin, Ashlee M.; Desinghe, Teshan D.; Ioannidis, George
Background: Each year, half of all long-term care (LTC) residents will sustain a fall, and many will sustain a fall-related fracture. Fifty percent of all fractures in this vulnerable cohort occur at the hip, which is a life-changing health event leading to hospitalization, impaired physical functioning, and increased risk of premature mortality. National osteoporosis guidelines for the prevention of fractures are not consistently used in LTC homes. Improving osteoporosis guideline implementation may prevent hip fractures and other fractures. This study will examine whether the PREVENT (Person-centered Routine fracture prEVENTion) model can reduce hip fracture rates over one year compared to usual care in LTC homes. Methods: Our study design is a pragmatic, cluster, randomized controlled trial. We will recruit 122 for-profit and not-for-profit LTC homes across Ontario, Canada. Homes will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention (PREVENT model) or control (usual care) arms. Eligibility criteria include a minimum of 50 occupied beds and access to the PointClickCare (PCC) electronic medical record system. One or two local opinion leader(s) and a leadership team consisting of five to ten healthcare providers will be recruited within each LTC home to support the implementation of the fracture prevention knowledge translation (KT) intervention. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) will be used to examine the effect of the PREVENT intervention vs usual care on hip fracture incidence (primary outcome), adjusting for important resident and LTC home characteristics; and secondary outcomes, including new osteoporosis medication prescriptions, non-hip fracture rates, falls, hospitalizations, death, LTC quality indicators, pain, mobility, responsive behaviors, and healthcare utilization costs. The Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) statement was used to guide the development of this study protocol. Discussion: Preventing hip fractures in LTC has significant health, economic, and personal benefits. To our knowledge, the PREVENT trial is the first KT study of its kind in LTC to measure hip fracture as the primary outcome. If the PREVENT trial successfully improves hip fracture rates, it may lead the way for implementing a standardized approach to preventing hip fractures in LTC homes across Canada and internationally. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04947722. Registered on July 1, 2021.