VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Sexual Behaviours, Risk Perceptions and the Criminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure on HIV Transmission among HIV-Negative and HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men in Toronto
Keywords: Criminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure
Epidemiology/Public Health
Gay
Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men
HIV
Perceived HIV Risk
Sexual Behaviour

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to have disproportionately high rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), even though risk factors for HIV acquisition are known and antiretroviral treatment has reduced transmission. Objectives: To characterize the sexual behaviours and risk perceptions of HIV transmission among HIV-negative and HIV-positive MSM. Methods: 150 HIV-negative and 292 HIV-positive MSM participated in the STI/HIV Co-Infection Study between September 2010 and June 2012. Participants were recruited from the Maple Leaf Medical Clinic, a primary and HIV-related care centre in Toronto. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) models quantified the relationships between actualsexual HIV risk, HIV incidence risk index for MSM (HIRI-MSM), perceived HIV risk and willingness to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among HIV-negative MSM. MLR and flow chart models were used to estimate the potential impact of HIV non-disclosure laws on HIV testing rates and transmission among HIV-negative MSM, and on condom use, HIV status disclosure and proportion at risk for criminal prosecutions among HIV-positive MSM. Results: As condom use frequency with HIV-positive regular partners decreased, perceived HIV risk (Odds Ratio (OR):18.33, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.65-203.45) and willingness to take PrEP (OR:27.11, 95% CI:1.33-554.43) increased. Condom use frequency with casual or HIV-unknown status regular partners and the HIRI-MSM index were not associated with perceived HIV risk or PrEP willingness. The 7% (9/124) reduction in HIV testing due to fear of prosecution found in this study could increase community HIV transmission by 18.5%; the majority of transmission being driven by the unmet needs of undiagnosed HIV-positive MSM. Almost half of HIV-positive MSM were more likely to use condoms and/or disclose their HIV-positive status due to fear of prosecution and 8.6% (25/292) could be at risk for non-disclosure prosecutions given their condom use, viral load and disclosure rates. Conclusions: HIV-negative MSM using condoms less frequently with HIV-positive partners but not with HIV-unknown status or casual partners accurately gauged their sexual risk behaviour and were willing to take PrEP. HIV non-disclosure laws may incentivize safer sex practices among HIV-positive MSM; however, they may also deter HIV testing which impedes HIV prevention efforts and increases community HIV transmission .
The Relationship between Immigration and Crime in Canada, 1976-2011
Keywords: crime
immigration

This dissertation examines whether changes in immigration are associated with changes in crime rates at the macro-level over time in Canada. Specifically, I analyze this relationship in Canadian census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and provinces for the period 1976-2011. In general, the research on the relationship between immigration and crime has shown that they are either negatively associated or not related at all. However, most of this work has been conducted in the United States using cross-sectional designs and has focused on one type of crime, namely homicide. Differences between Canada and the United States in the extent and nature of both immigration and crime warrant a study of their relationship and its generalizability beyond the US. My dissertation adds to the literature by using a longitudinal design â which treats immigration as a process that unfolds over time â and extending the analysis beyond homicide to include violent, property, and crime rates. My findings show that, controlling for demographic and socioeconomic covariates, changes in immigration are either not significantly associated or negatively associated with changes in crime rates. These results lend support to the generalizability of the findings from studies of US cities to Canadian cities, to larger units of aggregation (i.e., provinces),and across different types of crime.
Consuming Global Language and Culture: South Korean Youth in English Study Abroad
Keywords: English
Neoliberalism
South Korea
Study abroad
Youth

In globalizing South Korea, it is a prevalent belief that English competence and global awareness are key qualifications for successful employment. This belief has led South Korean young adults to pursue transnational experiences to improve their employability in the neoliberal job market. This thesis examines how the ideology of English as a global language produces the necessity of learning the language abroad and governs students’ overseas learning and life, through the case of Korean youth studying English in Toronto. Drawing on 13-month ethnographic fieldwork in Toronto, two research trips to South Korea, and various types of relevant documents, this thesis analyzes sociolinguistic trajectories of a group of Korean students attending a private language school. Especially, from a political economic perspective of language and culture, the thesis focuses on the ways in which the Korean students consume and negotiate desired types of English and English speakers. This study shows that the majority of students accessing the English study abroad market were students from non-elite universities who had no legitimate global experiences and low levels of oral proficiency in English. Recognizing the necessity of linguistic and cultural capital, the Korean youth decided to study English abroad, as their parents agreed to financially support their overseas education. In the private language teaching industry, such social, linguistic, and economic positions of the Korean youth led them to be strategic, calculative, and consumerist in terms of their English learning. In multilingual Toronto, the Korean students stratified English speakers according to the latter’s authenticity, proficiency, and intimacy. They constantly navigated “good” English programs and teachers in their language school. However, their status in the Western society, which remained as temporary visitors, non-native English speakers, and (East) Asians, posed challenges to immersing themselves in local cultures. Furthermore, this thesis demonstrates that the Korean students’ attitudes toward life and learning emphasizing accountability and effectiveness caused emotional burn-out and intercultural fatigue. Subsequently, the Korean students temporarily suspended the normative ways for success in English study abroad and pursued an alternative way of life. They enjoyed leisure activities such as travels and everyday mingling, thus constructing their version of cosmopolitanism.
Manipulating a "cocaine-cue engram" in mice
Keywords: Amygdala
Cocaine
Conditioned place preference
Memory

Experience with drugs of abuse (such as cocaine) produces powerful, long-lasting memories that may be key in the development and persistence of drug addiction. The neural mechanisms that mediate how and where these cocaine-cue memories are encoded, consolidated, and stored in the brain are unknown. Here we used cocaine-induced conditioned place preference to examine the precise neural circuits that support a cocaine-cue memory (cocaine-cue “memory trace” or “engram”) in mice. We found that a small population of neurons (~10%) in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) was recruited at the time of cocaine-conditioning to become part of the cocaine-cue engram supporting that memory. Moreover, neurons with increased levels of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) were preferentially recruited or allocated to the cocaine-cue engram. Pre-test ablation or silencing of neurons overexpressing CREB (but not a similar number of LA neurons not allocated to the cocaine-cue memory engram) disrupted the expression of a previously acquired cocaine-cue memory, suggesting that neurons overexpressing CREB become critical nodes in the LA of what is likely a larger (perhaps brain-wide) cocaine-cue engram. Previous research has suggested that coordinated post-encoding reactivation of neurons within an engram or cell assembly is crucial for memory consolidation (Marr, 1971; Buzsáki, 1989; Wilson McNaughton, 1994; McClelland et al., 1995; Girardeau et al., 2009; Dupret et al., 2010; Carr et al., 2011). Consistent with this, we also found that post-training suppression or non-discriminate activation of CREB overexpressing neurons impaired consolidation of the cocaine-cue memory. We also showed that these neurons were important for the reinstatement of a cocaine-cue memory. Following extinction of a cocaine-cue memory, re-exposure to cocaine may reinstate the original memory (Brown et al., 2010; Bilbao et al., 2008; Mueller Stewart, 2000). These results suggest that those neurons that are initially important in a cocaine-cue memory continue to be important to that memory, even following extinction. Finally, we found that in the LA, neurons that have relatively higher levels of neuronal excitability are more likely to be recruited to an engram supporting a cocaine-cue memory. Together, these findings reveal mechanisms underlying how and where drug memories are encoded and stored in the brain.
Abiotic and Biotic Leaching Characteristics of Pyrrhotite Tailings From the Sudbury, Ontario Area
Keywords: Bioleaching
Nickel
Pyrrhotite
Sudbury
Sulfur

The present study investigated the abiotic and biotic leaching characteristics of nickeliferous non-upgraded pyrrhotite (Po) tailings (0.6 wt% Ni), and upgraded Po tailings (1 wt% Ni) produced by Vale Base Metals in the Sudbury Basin of Ontario, with the aim of maximizing Ni and S0 recoveries. Mineralogical characterization of the tailings revealed the deportment of Ni to be similar in the non-upgraded and upgraded tailings, with 60% of the total Ni locked in Po, and the balance 40% associated with pentlandite (Pn). Application of a bacterial adaptive evolution protocol on 1%-20% (w/v) non-upgraded Po tailings, showed that the extent of Ni dissolution is positively correlated with microbial activity. Subsequently, a selective-dissolution protocol was developed to relate the overall Ni dissolution with the individual terminal dissolution extent of Po and Pn as functions of four leaching regimes: ‘anoxic acid’ (with and without pH control), ‘oxic acid’ (O2 sparging), ‘oxic acid’ (air sparging), and ‘oxic ferric’ (air sparging). The results showed that the maximum Ni dissolution (94%) was obtained during the pH controlled oxic acid leach with O2 sparging at pH 1.5, while the anoxic acid leach at pH 1.5 resulted in minimum Ni dissolution (10-15%) from Po. Application of the selective dissolution protocol to leach residue samples showed that Po and Pn dissolve simultaneously in the presence of Fe(III) and O2, in contrast to the preferential dissolution of Po in the absence of Fe(III). The maximum yield of elemental sulfur (65%) was obtained during the oxic Fe(III) leach at pH 0.6. However, the oxic ferric leach tests did not result in increased Ni dissolution due to the formation of a protective sulfur coating around Po grains. Thus, the present study has shown that the recovery of Ni and the yield of S0 cannot be maximized simultaneously under the experimental conditions tested; thereby, leading to the identification of operating conditions that maximize the oxidative-dissolution kinetics of Po and Pn (oxic acid leach with O2 sparging at pH 1.5), and the yield of elemental sulfur (oxic ferric leach at pH 0.6).
Contributions to Tensor-based Stress Variability Characterisation in Rock Mechanics
Keywords: Mean stress
Random stress tensor
Rock mechanics
Statistics
Stress dispersion
Stress variability

In situ stress is an important parameter in rock mechanics, but localised measurements often display significant variability. To incorporate such stress variability into probabilistic related analyses in rock mechanics, robust approaches for stress variability characterisation are essential components and prerequisites. Currently, variability of stress is customarily characterised by processing principal stress magnitude and orientation separately using scalar and vector related approaches, respectively. This is erroneous, as stress is a second order tensor and should be processed using tensorial approaches. However, tensorial approaches are poorly developed. The result is that to date there seems to have been no mathematically rigorous proposal for and systematic analysis of stress variability characterisation in rock mechanics. This work presents a mathematically robust approach to characterise stress variability. The work commences with an examination of the customary scalar/vector approach, and demonstrates why stress data should be processed in a tensorial manner. From this, fully tensorial approaches are proposed for calculating the mean stress (Euclidean mean), obtaining the statistical distribution model (multivariate distribution of distinct tensor components), assessing scalar valued stress dispersion (effective variance) and generating random stress tensors (generating multivariate random vector and forming the random stress tensor). The transformational consistency, or invariance, of these with respect to coordinate system change is derived in an analytical manner. A systematic examination of the applicability and efficacy of the proposed fully tensorial approaches for stress variability characterisation is presented using synthetic, actual and numerically simulated stress data. The calculations show that both the customary scalar/vector approach, which treats principal stress magnitudes and orientations as independent quantities, and existing quasi tensorial applications, which ignore the correlation between tensor components, may give incorrect results. The recommendation is thus made that stress tensors are referred to as comprising â six distinct componentsâ , rather than the customary â six independent componentsâ . This leads to the conclusion that stress variability should be characterised using multivariate statistics of the distinct tensor components referred to a common Cartesian coordinate system. Finally, transformational consistency, or invariance, of the proposed fully tensorial approaches is demonstrated, and this allows stress variability to be characterised in any convenient coordinate system.
Thermo-oxidation of undoped and W-doped carbon co-deposited films: a study of erosion behaviour and reaction product formation
Keywords: co-deposit
fusion
oxidation
plasma-facing materials
surface
tritium

The goal of the study is to determine the effect of W-doping on the thermo-oxidation of carbon co-deposited films. W-doped carbon-deuterium co-deposited films are generated on Si wafers, varying the W-content and co-deposit structures. The D retention after oxidation is examined as a function of W-content and compared against undoped specimens. Three cycles of plasma deposition and thermo-oxidation take place, to determine any trends over time and with the varying W-content. Finally, the reaction products are observed and compared between the oxidation of a batch of undoped films and W-doped films. For the W-doped films, it was found that higher %W films (a few at. %) with moderate thickness (330 nm) show strong oxidation-inhibition behaviour when compared to undoped films under oxidation at 2 Torr O2, 350 oC, for 8 h. No concentrated surface layer of W or WO3 is observed on the surface. This uniform-depth oxidation behaviour suggests the absence of any kind of “blocking layer”, but rather, since the oxidation-inhibiting action occurred throughout the depth, it is proposed here that during film formation, the amount of W acts to create different film structures – more or less susceptible to oxidation. Repeating the deposition and oxidation across several cycles does not show any enhanced retention, likely due to the inconsistency in the W-content between film applications. Products are the same for W-doped and undoped films.
DOES INITIAL TEACHER EDUCATION AFFECT TEACHER CANDIDATE BELIEFS ABOUT EQUITY AND DIVERSITY?: DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE TEACHER CANDIDATE BELIEFS ABOUT EQUITY AND DIVERSITY MEASURE
Keywords: development
equity and diversity
measure development
social justice
teacher candidate beliefs
teacher education

Abstract What teacher candidates believe â and whether those beliefs change during their initial teacher education â has important implications for their future students. In this three paper dissertation, the first two papers describe the development, refinement, and psychometric properties testing of the Teacher Candidate Beliefs about Equity and Diversity (TCBED) measure. The TCBED was designed to answer the main research question â does initial teacher education (ITE) affect teacher candidate beliefs about equity and diversity? The third paper presents the findings from administering the TCBED at the beginning and ending of an initial teacher education (ITE) program. More than 150 teacher candidates attending a large one-year consecutive ITE program in 2012-2013 answered the TCBED measure at both the beginning and end of the program. Most teacher candidates had moderately to very positive beliefs about teaching for social justice, their equity and diversity beliefs, and their sense of selfefficacy regarding teaching for social justice, and showed little change in their beliefs. To better understand the teacher candidates who did not fit this pattern, several who had consistently low scores across parts of the TCBED measure and across time or who varied in their scores were selected for closer analysis of their responses to open-ended items on the TCBED measure. In general, the ideas teacher candidates wrote about did not change over time except to show some development of already expressed beliefs. Implications of the findings and usefulness of the TCBED measure are discussed.
Informing Identities: Religious Conversion Experiences of Muslims in the Toronto Area
Keywords: ethnography
information practice
Islam
Muslim converts
religious conversion
Toronto

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the ways in which information seeking, evaluation, and sharing practices mediate the conversion experiences of Muslims living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This research contributes to Information Studies and interdisciplinary literature on conversion by adding insight into information practice in a religious context, particularly one that is characterized by a critical transition and situated within a contentious political landscape. Research was guided by an interpretive ethnographic approach. Data collection involved participant observation at religious conventions, education classes, discussion groups, and social gatherings hosted by convert support organizations over a 14-month period; semi-structured narrative interviews with 13 Muslim converts and two of their spouses; timeline drawings with ten research participants; a guided tour with one pilot study participant; and journal entries written by three pilot study participants. Findings are framed by three themes: navigation, authority, and expression; these themes correspond with the concepts of seeking, evaluating and sharing information. They describe participantsâ experiences of finding their way through new information systems and social networks; assessing sourcesâ trust, relevance, and authenticity; and presenting religious commitments through their bodies, vocabulary, and creative pursuits. Findings suggest that rather than being peripheral to religious experience, information practice is integral to how participants develop their religious identities and articulate their connection to local and global Muslim communities. This study extends the idea that everyday information practices involve not only interactions with written documentary sources such as books, websites, and social media, but also embodied forms of expression such as clothing, movements, words, and verbal references to key issues and debates, historical moments, influential figures, social norms and activities in the communities with which people identify.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ACADEMIC LITERACIES IN ONLINE BOOK CLUBS
Keywords: COI
Facebook
Literacy
Online
Politeness
Sociocultural

English for academic purposes (EAP) students require opportunities to practice and develop their English computer mediated communication to interact effectively in university contexts where English is the medium of instruction (EMI). In 2014 a literacy activity that used Facebook Groups to host student online book clubs was introduced into the curriculum of a 24 week EAP program at a major Canadian university. Informed by sociocultural theory this thesis presents insights gained through a multi-method qualitative study of the book clubs and their participants over the course of the program. The Community of Inquiry framework (Garrison, Anderson Archer, 2000) was employed to conduct a content analysis of five Facebook book club groups. The content analysis data were then analyzed with the data collected from multiple interviews with three case study students who participated in the five book clubs, a student questionnaire (n=58), and interviews with four book club instructors. The COI framework was used to record and interpret how instructor choices, actions and interventions affected social and cognitive presence of the studentsâ participation and practices in the book clubs. The interview and questionnaire data enabled me to elucidate the content analysis data and gain insights into how instructor online behaviour mediated student perceptions about their learning and participation in the activity. The thesis findings indicate that instructor book selection, scaffolding, modelling, and manner significantly mediated student perceptions regarding their engagement, participation, and interaction in the activity, specifically, whether students thought that they: (1) read extensively, and practiced essential academic reading strategies; (2) demonstrated high cognitive presence in their written comments; (3) and interacted and scaffolded each otherâ s learning. This thesis contributes to the L2 online learning literature in significant ways. The multi-method approach over 24 weeks provides an in-depth understanding of teaching and learning processes in an EAP online learning context that is currently absent in the literature. The study also draws attention to a need to better understand the influence and impact of politeness and pragmatics in interactive online activities such as book clubs, both between students, and between instructors and students.