VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Society and Warfare in Lombard Italy (c. 568–652)
Keywords: Early Middle Ages
Late Antiquity
Lombard Italy
Warfare

The aim of this dissertation is to re-evaluate the role of warfare and the military from the establishment of the Lombards in Italy to the end of King Rothari’s reign (c. 569–652). A thorough reassessment of the source material suggests that the Lombard kingdom was a breakaway section of the Byzantine army in northern Italy, which, seceding from the Empire, produced an independent government in Italy. Chapter one analyzes the evidence connecting the advent of the Lombards in Italy with a military rebellion, and produces a picture of the social context of the army in the 560s, highlighting the reasons behind the rebellion and the connections between mutiny and barbarian gentes. Chapter two tackles the trajectories of the Lombard policy after the rebellion, the role of Kings Alboin and Cleph, and the collapse of the Lombard monarchy (c. 574—84). Chapter three analyzes the role of the Franks in the re-establishment of the Lombard monarchy, and the importance of northern Italy for Frankish Alpine policy. The fourth chapter covers the period from Agilulf to Rothari examining the political and military achievements of Agilulf and Rothari, and evaluating the changes in the performance of the army, to suggest that the social conditions behind the support of the army had changed from the early to the mid seventh century. The social aspects of the army in the seventh century are discussed in chapter five, which looks at Italian society under Lombard rule, analyzing the evolution of economy and social organization, and the impact of the military on society. Finally, chapter six uses the data on the performance of the army and on the social structure presented in the previous chapters, to provide an analysis of the mechanisms of recruitment and the impact of military policy and changes on Italian society under the Lombards.
Electron Transfer, Vibrational Coherence and Intrinsic Dopants in Conjugated Polymer/fullerene Blends
Keywords: Conjugated polymers
Electron transfer
Intrinsic dopant
Organic photovoltaics
Ultrafast spectroscopy
Vibrational coherence

In this thesis, we utilize two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2D ES) to study the photoexcited dynamics in conjugated polymer/fullerene blends. A model system, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) /PCBM blends was chosen in these studies. Three topics—ultrafast electron transfer, vibrational coherence and dynamics of intrinsic doped electrons are investigated. In conjugated polymer/fullerene blends, the mechanism for ultrafast electron transfer, preceding or in the meantime of vibrational relaxation remains a puzzle. By utilizing 2D ES, we report dynamics maps showing the pathways of charge transfer that clearly expose the significance of hot electron transfer. We observe vibrational coherence is directly transferred from the P3HT exciton to the P3HT hole polaron in the crystalline domain. This result suggests that the wavefunction of the P3HT cation exhibits a similar spatial extent as the photogenerated exciton. To further explore vibrational coherence, we propose a protocol that utilizes 2D coherence amplitude maps to separate the vibrational coherence from ground- and excited- electronic states. By applying this method to the P3HT film, we find that the vibrational coherence from excited electronic states has a dephasing time of ~ 244 fs. The long dephasing time of the vibrational coherence suggests that it might be involved in the electron transfer process in P3HT/PCBM blends. By using the vibrational coherence, we identify a photoinduced absorption band from 640 to 690 nm that could at least partially be attributed to the absorption of the charge-transfer product. We find that a fraction of the charge-transfer states are generated by either direct photoexcitation or rapid electron transfer within 30 fs. Furthermore, we also observe the spectral signatures of intrinsic doped electrons, i.e. anions, in P3HT domains in both steady-state absorption and 2D ES. We find that the anion does not quench excitons or charges in the first 400 fs.
The Central Role of RMTg GABA Neurons in Morphine-induced Locomotion
Keywords: DREADD
HSV
locomotion
morphine
rostromedial tegmental nucleus
ventral tegmental area

Opioids have strong analgesic and rewarding effects, but these can often lead to addiction and dependence. Recently, the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) has been identified as a key input that opioids act upon. This thesis demonstrates, through a variety of behavioural and anatomical techniques, how RMTg GABA and dorsal tegmental acetylcholine (ACh) neurons work together to control opioid locomotion. In the first studies, a Herpes simplex viral vector (HSV) was utilized to transfect the excitatory muscarinic M5 receptor gene into either the ventral tegmental area (VTA) or RMTg of wild-type or M5 knockout mice. HSV-M5 transfections in the VTA increased morphine locomotion while RMTg transfections completely suppressed the activity. Retrograde tracers injected into RMTg or VTA, showed that many LDT and caudal PPT cholinergic neurons project to both RMTg and VTA; further, inhibitory M4 muscarinic receptors were localized to the RMTg. To selectively control RMTg GABA neurons, GAD2::Cre mice and Cre-dependent-AAVs containing either the excitatory (M3D) or inhibitory (M4D) designed receptors were utilized. M3D excitation of RMTg GABA neurons blocked morphine-induced locomotion, while M4D inhibition strongly increased the locomotion. Based on this work, a new model proposes how mesopontine cholinergic neurons and muscarinic receptors in the RMTg and VTA are important for DA-dependent and DA-independent opioid-induced rewards. Cholinergic inhibition of RMTg GABA neurons via M4 muscarinic receptors facilitates opioid inhibition of the same critical neurons. Many of the same LDT and caudal PPT cholinergic neurons also connect with VTA DA neurons via excitatory M5 muscarinic receptors that facilitate DA-dependent rewards and locomotion. This thesis demonstrates the importance of the RMTg and cholinergic mechanisms in mediating opioid locomotion, and suggests how locomotion and reward work through both DA-dependent and DA-independent pathways.
Teacher Education for Democracy in Post-Soviet Ukraine
Keywords: democracy
democratic citizenship
post-authoritarian society
post-Soviet transition
teacher education
Ukraine

Teacher education can enable or impede democratic socialization of prospective teachers through the provision (or not) of knowledge, skills, and values necessary for democratic teaching and effective functioning in democratic society. This dissertation investigates teacher education for democracy in post-Soviet Ukraine. It examines contextual factors that enable and impede teacher education practice for democracy, teacher educators’ conceptions of democracy and citizenship, and their enactment of these concepts in practice, in four universities in western, central, and eastern Ukraine. The study employs a mixed method multiple-case study methodology: case study profiles of four democratically oriented teacher educators, each working at a different university, are contextualized through background interviews, surveys of additional teacher educators, and document analysis. It illuminates political, cultural, and pedagogical dimensions of democratic citizenship education in an ostensibly post-authoritarian context. Survey findings reveal that, despite some changes, teaching approaches remained predominantly transmissional, and most teacher educators did not emphasize the promotion of political and cultural dispositions such as active citizenship, personal responsibility, civic patriotism, or tolerance of other viewpoints, nations, ethnicities, and cultures. Preparation of teacher candidates to function in a democracy was obstructed by multiple societal, institutional, and personal factors. This study demonstrates the value of considering such factors, in order to understand the challenges of implementing education for democracy in non-Western, transforming contexts. Case studies of four exemplary teacher educators shed light on pedagogical and content dimensions of teacher education for democracy that were possible, although by no means typical, in this context. Their pedagogy departed from the dominant reliance on transmissional teaching and steeply hierarchical teacher-student relationships. Their course content promoted citizenship responsibility and a non-fearful mentality instead of paternalism and culture of fear; ethnic, racial, gender, and interregional tolerance instead of ethnocentrism; civically rather than ethnically oriented national pride and patriotism; and student-centered instead of solely teacher-centered pedagogies. The study contributes to comparative international research on education for democracy by providing practical examples of teacher education for democracy in a post-authoritarian context and by showing that Western-based typologies of democratic citizenship education can acquire different meanings, relevance, and significance in transitioning contexts such as Ukraine.
The Role of Pdxdc1 in Modulating Prepulse Inhibition of the Acoustic Startle Reflex in Mice
Keywords: Hippocampus
Mice
microarray
Pdxdc1
Prepulse inhibition
RNAi

Prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (PPI) is a common measure of sensorimotor gating that is abnormal in many neuropsychiatric diseases including schizophrenia. Current treatments for schizophrenia share a common mechanism of blocking the dopamine D2 receptor. However, existing antipsychotic medications are ineffective for many patients and cause severe side effects. Better medications are needed, and identifying new potential treatment targets is the first step in improving outcomes for this debilitating illness. Deficits in PPI can be improved by existing antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia. I sought to identify novel molecular modulators of PPI, reasoning that these could be new treatment targets for schizophrenia. To accomplish this, brain mRNA transcript levels were correlated with PPI in six different strains of inbred mice with a range of PPI levels. Although many brain areas are involved in PPI, the hippocampus, striatum and brainstem were the three areas examined. Affymetrix MOE 420 microarrays were used to measure mRNA transcript levels and transcripts that best correlated with PPI were selected for verification using real-time RT-PCR. Pyridoxal-dependent decarboxylase domain containing 1 (Pdxdc1) encodes a 787aa putative pyridoxal-dependent decarboxylase, and was selected for further study because of a strong negative correlation of transcript abundance with PPI. I measured the distribution of Pdxdc1 mRNA and protein expression in mouse brain using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively, and found relatively strong expression levels of both molecules in the hippocampus. The functional role of Pdxdc1 in modulating PPI was verified by knocking down protein in the mouse hippocampus in vivo. Stereotactic injection of lentivirus containing a plasmid coding for anti-Pdxdc1 shRNA into the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus significantly increased PPI in male C57BL/6J mice. shRNA-mediated interference reduced Pdxdc1 protein levels by 30% and increased PPI by approximately 15%, without substantially altering spatial learning and memory-related behaviours, but with some effect on spontaneous locomotor activity. This suggests that Pdxdc1 may modulate PPI and warrants further study as a potential target for drug development.
Foreign Trained Black Lawyers’ Experiences in Ontario: I am a Lawyer! Am I a Lawyer? An Odyssey!
Keywords: Critical Race Theory
Foreign trained Black Lawyers
Integrative anti-racist theory
Internationally trained or Educated Lawyers
Lawyer Licensing in Ontario
Legal training
Accreditation and Credentialing in Ontario

Abstract This thesis examines the experiences of foreign trained black lawyers navigating the Canadian legal credentialing process in Ontario and how that has impacted their lives. I chose to focus on foreign trained black lawyers (FTBL) and take a comparative look at black lawyers born and trained in Africa and the Caribbean as well as Canadian born blacks who studied outside Canada. FTBL includes those who are born in Canada and study abroad and those who are immigrants to Canada. The research employed a discursive framework, using the intersectionality of critical race theory and integrative anti-racist theory to contextualize and examine the issue. I employed a mixed method design using an online survey and interviews to examine and analyze the challenges of foreign trained black lawyers becoming credentialed in the Ontario legal system. The five major themes that emerged are as follows: 1) the NCA’s (National Committee on Accreditation) lack of transparency and consistency in the process of accreditation, and the Law Society of Upper Canada, specifically the LSUC exams; 2) Articling in Ontario, focusing on the challenges of securing articling positions; 3) the Impact of Racism, focusing on disempowerment and discrimination;4) Resilience and Career motivation, highlighting the participants’ coping mechanisms, sustenance and support; and 5) Networking, in particular relating to the importance and relevance of social capital in finding suitable work experiences.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Behaviours of South Asian Immigrants in Canada: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study
Keywords: Canada
colon cancer screening
early detection
health behavior
Survey

An exploratory sequential mixed method study was conducted to explore factors that influence colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake and to develop an empirically-based cross culturally adapted survey to better understand uptake in average risk South Asian (SA) immigrants. Phase I was a scoping study that reviewed relevant cancer screening literature. Phase II was a focus group study with SA immigrants to explore beliefs, attitudes, and reasons for CRC screening decision-making. Phase III involved survey development by incorporating Phase I and II findings, critically appraising candidate measures, cross culturally translating and adapting into Urdu, and pre-testing using cognitive interviews. Narrative and thematic analysis of scoping study literature uncovered four themes: (1) beliefs and attitudes including centrality of family, holistic health care, fatalism, screening as unnecessary, and emotion-laden perceptions; (2) lack of knowledge; (3) barriers to access; and (4) gender differences. Focus group thematic analysis revealed three themes: (1) beliefs and attitudes such as benefits of screening; (2) knowledge and awareness of CRC and screening, experiential learning, and recommendations; and (3) support and accessibility, particularly linked to physicians. In survey development, candidate measures with good conceptual matches were identifed in the literature. Modifications were made to the Urdu survey. After pre-testing, revisions addressed general design, culture, and gender issues. This study enhanced understanding of factors that influenced cancer screening and provided insights on socio-cultural context, beliefs, attitudes, barriers, and strategies to promote CRC screening among SA immigrants in Canada. Collectively, the findings informed survey development. Future research will pilot-test the surveys and conduct reliability and validity testing. These findings can inform public health and cancer control efforts to develop relevant strategies to improve CRC screening among SA immigrants. The English and Urdu language survey will be used to advance understanding of factors that influence CRC screening among SA immigrants in Ontario, Canada.
Long Fiber Extrusion and Improved Energy Absorption Behaviour of Hybrid Thermoplastic Composite
Keywords: ENERGY ABSORPTION
HYBRID COMPOSITE
LONG FIBER EXTRUSION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
THERMOPLASTIC

The aim of this study was to develop thermoplastic biocomposites of polypropylene (PP) and jute fibers (J) with high energy absorption and without decline of strength and stiffness properties. The preparation of thermoplastic composite is a challenging task; this research presents manufacturing thermoplastic biocomposite using direct long fiber thermoplastic (LFT) extrusion technique. The soft and tough viscose fibers were used as impact modifier. The energy absorption of the composites was studied using notched izod, charpy and instrumental falling weight (IFW) impact tests. In addition fiber breakage during the extrusion process, heat deflection temperature (HDT), viscoelastic behaviour, fracture toughness, fatigue life, interfacial shear (ISS) strength and fiber dispersion were experimentally evaluated The optimum mechanical properties of the PP-J composite including toughness was found with the addition of 10 wt% of viscose fibers and 2 wt% maleated polypropylene (MAPP) as compatibilizer. Heat deflection temperature values reduced with addition of viscose fibers whereas the MAPP addition improved the values form 140 to 145°C. Consecutively, the composites viscoelastic behavior was studied using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), the study showed broadening of tan δ peak without change in the peak position on the compatibilized impact modified composite. The higher fracture toughness and fatigue life was also recorded on MAPP modified jute-viscose-PP-composite due to increased work energy by hindering the propagation of crack. The fractography micrographs of surface modified composites indicated clear debonding and pullout of fibers due to the flexible interphase developed between the fiber and matrix. The fiber dispersion seen in SEM images showed that toughest viscose fibers retained as larger bundles in the composites compared to more individual separated jute fibers. It is difficult to disperse viscose fibers due to their soft and tough nature. However to utilize potential of the fibers in the composite, the improvement in fiber dispersion was achieved by increasing the shear during extrusion process. This work demonstrated that it is possible to use the long viscose fibers as impact modifier to produce LFT composites. The addition of tough viscose fiber improved the energy absorption of long jute reinforced thermoplastic composites through toughening mechanism without much sacrifice in strength and stiffness.
The Content, Development and Use of Shared Task Representations during the Selection and Planning of Joint Actions
Keywords: Joint Action
Motor Control
Motor Learning
Motor Representations
Response Planning
Shared Task Representations

Many of the actions that humans perform everyday are completed with co-actors. Cognitive theories of joint action posit that shared task representations form during joint actions and that these representations help co-actors anticipate and monitor each other’s actions. However, due to the paucity of research where co-actors have to select, plan and execute actions while attempting to achieve a shared goal, there are many unanswered questions concerning how shared task representations contribute to joint actions. The common coding theory of perception and action was used to develop hypotheses concerning the content, development and use of shared task representations. To test these hypotheses, seven experiments were completed that required pairs of individuals to perform sequential joint actions. The investigation of the response selection and planning of the initiator revealed information pertaining to the content, development and use of shared task representations. The main conclusions drawn from the research are that: 1) shared task representations contain social factors that influence the motor strategy; 2) individuals can represent the difficulty associated with their co-actor’s action and select and plan actions that make their co-actor’s task easier; 3) individuals can represent multiple potential actions, and multiple features of those actions, and use information derived from the simulation of those actions during response selection and planning; 4) individuals can adopt multiple frames of reference so that they can plan actions based on information derived from allocentric, egocentric and other-person body-centered frames of reference; 5) shared motor representations are limited in content in comparison to individual motor representations; and 6) the content and use of shared task representations are enhanced by visual feedback, anticipatory motor planning and first-hand motor experience. The findings of this dissertation provide significant contributions to theories of how shared task representations facilitate the achievement of shared goals in joint actions.
Vacuum Infusion Molding of Natural Fibre Reinforced Biobased Resin Composite
Keywords: Bio composite
Manufacturing
Modeling
Natural fiber
Permeability
Wetting

The increasing demand in the field of bio material research for an in-depth understanding of processing phenomenon to convert it into a useful product is essential. Besides, there is inadequate information regarding the dependency between their processing mechanism and mechanical performance. The main focus of this work is to address the issues of the resin flow behavior of natural fibre in vacuum infusion molding, the determination of permeability and validation of the proposed contact angle model with experimental data. The proposed model shows greater accuracy when validated with experimental observation. The outcome of this research emphasizes the wetting mechanism and fibre network of sisal mats are the major factors that reduces 26% of permeability as compared to glass fibres. In addition, it is observed that the swelling phenomenon had a minimal influence on the permeability of the sisal fibre mat. The complex phenomena occurring during wetting of natural fibres with epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) in terms of contact angle and surface energy are investigated. The fibres are treated with various reagents to improve the wetting behavior. It is noted that NaOH treatment provides considerable amount of increase in surface area of the exposed cellulose that aids in enhancement of wettability characteristics by increasing the surface energy from 18 mN/m to 23.5 mN/m while reducing the contact angle from 530 to 310. Conversely, there is a formation of virtual layer on the fibre when treated with silane and isocyanate. Moreover, isocyanate treated fibre exhibits improved wetting behaviour in terms of increase in surface energy from 18 mN/m to 25.5 mN/m when wetted with ESO. The kinetics study of the curing reaction of the resin is performed by differential scanning calorimetry. A new empirical model is proposed to analyze the kinetic data obtained experimentally. The results highlighted that the proposed model attained significant improvement to predict the experimental cure kinetic data qualitatively and quantitatively. The addition of 30% ESO in the conventional system increases the activation energy of the system up to 108 kJ/mol. The effect of the surface treatments of natural fibre, fibre loading direction, and resin flow direction on the tensile properties of developed composites are investigated. The longitudinal tensile strength of developed composites demonstrated a 7-8 fold increment, as compared to the transverse direction tensile strength. The flow along the fibre provides 10% increment in tensile strength due to higher permeability.