VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic Analysis for Carbon Management
Keywords: Diffusion
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Carbon Management
Sequestration
Miscibility
Carbon Dioxide
Microfluidic
MMP

This thesis focuses on applying microfluidic techniques to analyze two carbon management methods; underground carbon sequestration and enhanced oil recovery. The small scale nature of microfluidic methods enables direct visualization of relevant pore-scale phenomena, enabling elucidation of parameters such as diffusion coefficients and critical compositions. In this work, a microfluidic platform was developed to control a two-phase carbon dioxide (CO2)-water interface for diffusive quantification with fluorescent techniques. It was found that the diffusion coefficient of CO2 in pure water was constant (1.86 [± 0.26] x10-9 m2/s) over a range of pressures. The effects of salinity on diffusivity were also measured in solutions, it was found that the diffusion coefficient varied up to 3 times. A microfluidic technique able to determine the critical composition of a model ternary mixture was also successfully implemented. Results indicate potential application of this approach to minimum miscibility pressure measurements used in enhanced oil recovery.
"I feel like a bag lady": Personal Interstices, Self-Disclosures and Empathetic Affiliation during Workplace Meetings
Keywords: personal interstice
reciprocal sequence
conversation analysis
self-disclosure
empathy
second story
affiliation
alignment
workplace
business meeting
social talk
relational
small talk
off-task talk
self-reference
exchange sequence
institutional talk
English as a second language

While an extensive body of research exploring professional discourse exists, research investigating off-task talk within workplaces has been relatively side-lined. To better understand the possible functions of personal interstices layered between institutional goal-oriented talk, this study examines instances of self-disclosure that emerged from 34 hours of authentic interactions recorded at three Canadian workplaces. Using conversation analysis, 87 self-reference, self-disclosure declaratives were identified. Of those, 21 occurred within reciprocal sequences between two participants. Similar to a second story telling found in ordinary conversation (Sacks, 1992a), the second speaker’s self-disclosure reflects the first speaker’s, both in content and form, and is often an upgraded version of the initial disclosure. This pattern and in-meeting placement suggest that these types of personal interstices may be a mechanism for displaying co-worker empathetic affiliation. Additionally, hierarchical role relations and institution goals may be temporarily suspended or back-grounded during these sequences.
Who is Wilhelmsburg? Race and Space in Internationale Bauaustellung Hamburg
Keywords: discourse
race
space
Foucault
Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg
urban planning
IBA Hamburg
integration
Germany

The Wilhelmsburg neighbourhood of Hamburg, Germany is characterized in local media as a problem neighbourhood. Many of its residents are racialized people struggling with low incomes, unemployment, and less formal education than average in the city as a whole, exemplifying what Razack (2002, p. 6) calls the “spatiality of the racial order in which we live.” Wilhelmsburg is also the focus of a massive urban planning and architectural project, the Internationale Bauaustellung (International Building Exhibition, or IBA) Hamburg 2007-2012, comprising 50 building projects that aim to transform the neighbourhood. In this thesis I use Foucauldian discourse analysis to explore IBA Hamburg’s public education materials, arguing that IBA Hamburg produces Wilhelmsburg and its residents as racialized, problematic, and in need of intervention to bring them into the future metropolis. Residents are targeted for integration through education, the effects of which are disciplinary and reproduce an unequal racial order of citizenship.
Developing Book Clubs in High School English Classrooms
Keywords: BOOK CLUB
READING
LITERATURE
LITERACY

The focus of this research is to examine the book club as a social context for literacy development. Students in book clubs perceive literature authentically in ways of reading, writing and talking through a variety of interactions. Meanwhile, teachers, by observing students’ learning in book clubs, reflect on their language teaching and lead to an innovation of literacy instruction in schools, which can bridge to a community instructional change for language teachers. In this research, I observed, videotaped, audio-taped, and interviewed high school students and the teacher in an urban Canadian high school, who were involved in English classroom book clubs which replaced the traditional instructional mode of teaching literature, trying to figure out a structure for a classroom book club by comparing to an extracurricular book club and by analyzing the diverse reading experiences of students both in and outside of school.
Reading Instruction on YouTube: Insights from Searches on Five Key Reading Topics
Keywords: YouTube
Web 2.0
reading instruction
phonics
phonemic awareness
fluency
comprehension
vocabulary
content analysis

The recognition that YouTube, a free-access video sharing website, is being widely used as a source of public information has lead medical researchers to conduct studies on health-related videos. However, it appears that educational researchers have not explored YouTube videos about reading instruction, given that no published studies could be located on this topic. The current study conducted controlled searches related to the “big five” areas of early elementary reading instruction as identified by the National Reading Panel (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension). Search results were recorded and the top 40 “most relevant” videos on each topic were analyzed to determine information about viewership, format, content, and creators of the videos. Results indicated that while YouTube videos addressing all five areas of reading instruction were prolific and highly viewed, users would need to be critical, informed, and tech-savvy in order to find relevant videos from credible sources.
How Good is the Good Food Market: An Exploration of Community Food Security
Keywords: Food security
Food studies
Community food security
Good food market program
Food desert

Community food security (CFS) is a new, community-based, collaborative approach to achieving food security. CFS seeks to merge social justice and environmental sustainability goals in the pursuit of food-secure communities. The Good Food Market (GFM) is a new CFS initiative wherein a subsidized community food market operates in a food desert. Through a qualitative case study approach, I examine and evaluate the programmatic design of The Stop’s Good Food Market, and explore its contribution to community food security. The research is framed within a larger study of food security. Research findings are based on semi-structured and structured interviews with GFM coordinators and customers, as well as participant observation and literature reviews.
"All Our Work is Political": Men's Experience in Pro-feminist Organizing
Keywords: pro-feminist organizing
masculinity
feminism

This research project examines the personal and political experiences of five men engaged in pro-feminist organizing. Their experiences are explored in the context of the emergence of anti- feminist groups, and an increasingly volatile funding environment whereby women’s rights organizations are seeing their financial resources threatened. Using a critical and sociological approach to masculinities, significant challenges at the personal level for these pro-feminist men are examined and are shown to compound engagement with women feminists, and the potential of cross gender partnerships. A people-oriented qualitative approach is employed to capture men’s personal journeys and how they self- identify with the feminist movement. This research adds to the prevalent “Man Question”, contesting men’s engagement in the feminist movement. Ultimately, however, the thesis concludes that men’s engagement in the feminist movement needs to be clearly positioned as a political project with an explicit commitment to building alliances with women’s rights networks.
Welcome to Canada! An Inquiry into the Choice of Nursing as a Career among Immigrant Women of Nigerian Origin
Keywords: Immigrant
Women
Nursing
Career choice
Nigeria
Canada

This thesis investigated the choice of nursing among immigrant women from Nigeria in Canada. I sought to understand why increasing numbers of immigrant women from Nigeria with degrees and professional backgrounds are opting for careers in nursing. The study was conducted through an antiracist feminist lens and uncovered the many dimensions in which African immigrant women encounter marginalization and discrimination in the Canadian labour market, resulting from entrenched norms and values. I placed centre stage the voices of the Nigerian women, and through their narratives found that the decision to change careers was based on barriers they faced, the availability of jobs within nursing, as well as personal perceptions and interactions with other Nigerian women who had successfully changed careers. The conclusion reached is that despite the structural barriers faced, the choice of nursing had overall benefited the women, elevating their status and improving their economic situation.
The Role of Personality and Emotion Regulation on Psychological Health among Trauma Survivors
Keywords: psychological health
personality
emotion regulation
perfectionistic self-presentation
posttraumatic stress
depression

A growing body of literature is focusing on the influence of personality and emotion regulation on psychological health. Using archival data from an expressive writing project, the current study investigated the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and emotion regulation, and the influence of the interaction of these variables on psychological health among trauma survivors. The results indicate that both perfectionistic self-presentation and more difficulties in emotion regulation contribute to symptoms of distress. As well, higher levels of perfectionistic self-presentation were associated with more difficulties in emotion regulation. Further, emotion regulation mediated the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and psychological distress but not common physical complaints. More specifically, the non-acceptance subscale of emotion regulation was found to be significant in a test of multiple mediator model.
The Experiences of Muslim Girls with Curriculum/Schooling in Public Secondary Schools in Ontario, Canada
Keywords: Muslim
Girls
Public School
Secondary
Schools
Ontario
Toronto
Canada
Muslims
Islam
Female
Curriculum
Schooling
Diverse
Hijabi
Non-hijabi
Headscarf
Veil
Secondary School

This study examines the experiences of nine hijabi and non-hijabi Muslim girls from diverse backgrounds with curriculum/schooling in public secondary schools in Ontario. The study uses individual interviews and a focus group discussion to delve into how Muslim girls understand their educational experiences. The participants were independent, thoughtful, and conscientious students who were evolving as individuals through their curriculum/schooling experiences. School was a forum where they questioned themselves, discovered their interests, and made sense of their multiple identities. The differences between a participant’s home and school life varied, and each girl had a unique manner in dealing with the various ideological and practical conflicts. As Muslim girls, they were confronted with certain challenges in school; however, this did not detract from the overall positive aspects of their public schooling experiences. My participants felt respected and validated as individuals in their schools and optimistic regarding their futures as Muslim Canadian females.
Study of Properties of Cryolite – Lithium Fluoride Melt Containing Silica
Keywords: cryolite
silica
lithium fluoride
dissolution
solubility
density
conductivity
mass transfer coefficient

The ultimate goal of this study is to examine the feasibility of extracting silicon from silica through electrolysis. The objective of the thesis was to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of a cryolite-lithium fluoride mixture as an electrolyte for the electrolysis process. A study of 86.2wt%Cryolite and13.8wt%Lithium fluoride melt with silica concentration varying from 0-4wt% and temperature range of 900-1000°C was done. Three properties were measured using two sets of experiments: 1) Dissolution Behaviour Determination, to obtain a) solubility limit, b) dissolution rate (mass transfer coefficient) and 2) density using Archimedes’ Principle. The study concluded that solubility and dissolution rate increases with temperature and the addition of LiF to cryolite decreases the solubility limit but increases the rate at which silica dissolves into the melt. With addition of silica, the apparent density of electrolyte first increases up to 2-3wt% and the drops.
Inhibition of Brain CYP2D Lowers Codeine-induced Analgesia in Rats
Keywords: codeine
rat
analgesia
tail flick test
CYP2D6
CYP2D
cytochrome P450 2D6
morphine
HPLC
rats
drug metabolism
pharmacokinetics

CYP2D6 metabolizes codeine to morphine, the active analgesic metabolite. Variation in brain CYP2D6 activity may affect brain morphine levels after codeine administration and thereby influence analgesia. We investigate the effect of inhibiting brain CYP2D on codeine-induced analgesia. METHODS: Rats received intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of CYP2D inhibitors or vehicle controls. Rats were then given subcutaneous codeine injections and analgesia was measured with the tail-flick test. Morphine and codeine concentrations in brain and plasma were measured. CYP2D activity in brain and liver were assessed in vitro. RESULTS: Compared to vehicle treatment, i.c.v. inhibitor treatments resulted in lower codeine-induced analgesia, lower morphine levels in brain but not in plasma after codeine injections, and lower CYP2D activity in brain membranes but not in liver microsomes. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting brain CYP2D reduces codeine’s metabolism to morphine, resulting in less analgesia. Variation in brain CYP2D6 activity may influence response to codeine and other CYP2D6 substrates.
The Effect of Mechanical Stimulation on Osteocyte Chemo-sensitivity
Keywords: Osteocyte
Oscillatory Fluid Flow
Serotonin
Calcium
PGE2

Osteocytes are believed to be the mechanosensory cells that detect and respond to mechanical loading. Physiological loading by oscillatory fluid flow (OFF) activates osteocytes to increase intracellular calcium concentration and release prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Osteocytes are also sensitive to chemical stimulations such as serotonin, which can also increase PGE2 release. However, it is unclear whether mechanical stimulation can influence osteocyte sensitivity towards serotonin. In this thesis, MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cells were subjected to serotonin with or without precondition by OFF, the responses of intracellular calcium and PGE2 release were measured. Serotonin increased intracellular calcium and PGE2 release in osteocytes. The effects were significantly reduced by OFF precondition, suggesting mechanical precondition by OFF can reduce osteocyte sensitivity towards serotonin. In terms of mechanisms, OFF- and serotonin-induced calcium responses depended on intra- and extracellular calcium stores. ATP was found to partially mediate OFF modulation of serotonin-induced PGE2 release but not calcium.
Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications of Biological Behavior of TP53 Mutations in WNT and Sonic-Hedgehog Medulloblastomas
Keywords: Medulloblastoma
Lithium
TP53
CTNNB1
radiation resistance

Recent discoveries enabled us to divide medulloblastoma into molecular sub-groups and uncover novel mutations in these tumors. However, except for superior survival of the WNT sub-group, the prognostic and therapeutic implications of these observations remain unclear. TP53 mutations which confer radioresistance revealed conflicting clinical relevance in different studies. We hypothesized that the effect of TP53 mutations on survival is modulated through molecular sub-grouping. This is especially important since therapeutic targeting of WNT can be achieved with administration of lithium. Here we first confirmed that TP53 mutant tumors confers unfavorable outcome only in SHH subgroup, but not in WNT. We demonstrated that while TP53 mutations cause radioresistance, activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling radiosensitizes medulloblastoma cells. We demonstrated that lithium activates the WNT pathway and effectively sensitize medulloblastoma cells to radiation. Furthermore, lithium did not sensitize normal neural stem cells to radiation, suggesting its potential as an effective radiosensitizer for medulloblastoma.
A Re-assessment of the Risk:Benefit Analysis of Statin Therapy during Pregnancy: Do Benefits of Treatment Outweigh Putative Reproductive Risks.
Keywords: Statins
Pregnancy

An animal model has implicated elevated levels of tissue factor (TF), and resultant hypercoagulability and inflammation, as key factors in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and has demonstrated that pravastatin is effective in treating this condition. In this study, we have re-evaluated the contraindication of statins during pregnancy. Evaluation has shown that while animal testing (at maternally toxic doses) and case reports of birth defects have led to the contraindication of statins during pregnancy, our controlled study, similar to previously published controlled studies, has failed to demonstrate increased fetal risks. As well, we demonstrated that transfer of pravastatin across the placenta is likely limited. While short term suspension of therapy during gestation is considered safe, extended time without therapy is detrimental to cardiovascular health. Coupled with a trend of elevated TF levels in women with RPL, reconsideration of the contraindication of statins is warranted based on appropriate risk: benefit assessment.
Auction Design for Secondary Spectrum Markets
Keywords: Spectrum auction
Game theory

Opportunistic wireless channel access by non-licensed users has emerged as a promising solution for addressing the bandwidth scarcity challenge. In this thesis, we first design both a deterministic heuristic auction and a randomized auction with a provable performance bound with the guarantee of truthfulness, for networked secondary users. We then turn our attention to mobility support for the secondary users. We introduce two-dimensional bids that reflect a secondary user's willingness to pay for exclusive and nonexclusive channel usage, for the single-channel and multiple-channel scenarios, under which we prove their performances under desired equilibria, respectively. We also devise core-selecting auctions in a combinatorial setting, where secondary users can submit flexible preferences on channels. These auctions can resolve VCG's vulnerability to collusion and shill bidding, and improves seller revenue.
Block-based Adaptive Mesh Refinement Finite-volume Scheme for Hybrid Multi-block Meshes
Keywords: upwind finite-volume methods
adaptive mesh refinement (AMR)
block-based hybrid mesh
domain decomposition

A block-based adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) finite-volume scheme is developed for solution of hyperbolic conservation laws on two-dimensional hybrid multi-block meshes. A Godunov-type upwind finite-volume spatial-discretization scheme, with piecewise limited linear reconstruction and Riemann-solver based flux functions, is applied to the quadrilateral cells of a hybrid multi-block mesh and these computational cells are embedded in either body-fitted structured or general unstructured grid partitions of the hybrid grid. A hierarchical quadtree data structure is used to allow local refinement of the individual subdomains based on heuristic physics-based refinement criteria. An efficient and scalable parallel implementation of the proposed algorithm is achieved via domain decomposition. The performance of the proposed scheme is demonstrated through application to solution of the compressible Euler equations for a number of flow configurations and regimes in two space dimensions. The efficiency of the AMR procedure and accuracy, robustness, and scalability of the hybrid mesh scheme are assessed.
Investigation of the Regulation of the Lysine Decarboxylase LdcI Activity by the Alarmone ppGpp and MoxR Family AAA+ ATPase RavA
Keywords: LdcI
ppGpp

The lysine-dependent acid stress response system in Escherichia coli protects the cells under moderately acidic conditions. It consists of LdcI, the inducible lysine decarboxylase and CadB, the lysine-cadaverine antiporter. LdcI interacts with both ppGpp, the signalling molecule in the stringent response, and RavA, a MoxR-family AAA+ protein induced in the stationary phase. Experiments in vitro have shown that ppGpp inhibits the activity of LdcI and that the interaction between LdcI and RavA antagonizes the inhibition. In this work, it was demonstrated, by using a media shift assay, that the antagonistic regulation of RavA and ppGpp of LdcI activity also takes place in vivo, thereby linking acid resistance to the stringnent response. As part of this study, components of the lysine decarboxylase pathway and the ravA-viaA operon were endogenously tagged with fluorescent proteins. These strains are useful tools to study the localization behaviour of these proteins under different stress conditions.
Restrictions on Moral Rights – A Comparative Study on Its Legislation and Application in Civil Law and Common Law Jurisdictions
Keywords: Moral Rights Restrictions
Comparative Approach
Moral Rights Restrictions Legislation
"Balance" Theory

At first sight in copyright, moral rights seem to form a less significant part compared with economic rights. However, new technology has strongly overwhelmed traditional moral rights regime and consequently, inherent but concealed conflicts between moral rights and other legitimate interests have become increasingly prominent. Notwithstanding recognition of moral rights doctrine shows much unevenness both theoretically and in legislation with different jurisdictions in the world, the rush of economic and informational globalization has prompted the convergence of sentiment on moral rights worldwide. There can be no doubt that the essence of copyright, whether moral part or economic part, is to keep a “balance”. How to strike such a balance in moral rights system is thus becoming the main task of this thesis. Drawing from typical countries’ legislation, this thesis applies a restrictive perspective, to depict the picture of a “balanced” moral rights regime to fit in current trend of globalization.
The Future of China's Climate Change Policy: Where to Go?
Keywords: China
Climate Change Policy

This article aims to discuss China’s possible future climate change policy after the 2011 Durban Conference. Before engaging in a discussion on China’s future policy, a brief review of China’s climate change policy before the Durban Conference, as well as the logic behind the making of China’s stance will firstly be investigated. Furthermore, this article also makes inquiries into the implications of the Durban outcomes, and then discusses China’s position during the transitional period of 2012-2020. Additionally, the article analyses China’s climate change stance in future climate negotiations in a post-2020 era and the key domestic measures that China will take to cut its carbon emissions after 2020. In conclusion, the article reveals that China’s real significance for global climate action in future is not coming through an international regime, but through the global importance of its domestic measures.