VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Collective Memory Work and Poltical Activist Ethnography: A Synthesis of Two Modes of Enquiry in Social Movements
Keywords: feminist methodology
social movements

Collective Memory Work (CMW) and Political Activist Ethnography (PAE) are two modes of social enquiry that developed out of the second-wave feminist movement. Based in a Marxist-feminist perspective on social movements, they discuss the relationship between the everyday life experiences of activists, and the social circumstances which form those experiences. While both take everyday experience to be their point of departure, PAE reaches out ethnographically to explore the textually mediated relations of ruling that organize those experiences. CMW uses textual accounts of activists' memories to investigate how they participate in their own oppression. This study explores whether the two modes enquiry are compatible and can be used alongside each other. Completed memory work and political activist ethnography research in social movement contexts will be analysed and synthesized to understand the compatibilities, and contradictions between the two modes of enquiry, as well as the limits and potential benefits of their combination.
Conquest through Benevolence: the Indian Residential School Apology and the (Re)making of the Innocent Canadian Settler Subject
Keywords: Apology
Canadian Identity
Discourse Analysis
Indian Residential Schools
Reconciliation
Settler Colonialism

This thesis offers a critical discourse analysis of the Canadian government's 2008 apology to the former students of the Indian Residential School system. The Indian Residential School apology claims to begin to pave the way for healing and reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians, and, I argue, it makes this claim while reiterating colonial narratives of settler innocence, entitlement to land, and moral-ethical superiority. The apology claims to right wrongs that are discursively situated in a remote and distant past, without addressing ongoing colonial violence or the historic and contemporary benefits both the state and its citizens have inherited from colonialism. I contend that the apology enables a celebratory national narrative that allows the state and its citizens, and not the Indigenous peoples to whom it was putatively addressed, to recover from (and re-cover) a violent and traumatic past (and present) while repudiating responsibility on both an individual and state level.
Joint Inspection and Inventory Models for k-out-of-n Systems
Keywords: Inspections
Inventory
k-out-of-n system
Maintenance
Optimization
Reliability

The objective is to study the relationship between maintenance and inventory for a k-out-of-n system. The component's failures are hidden and follow a non-homogeneous Poisson process. Two types of inspections are performed to reveal the failed components: periodic inspections and opportunistic inspections which are performed at system failure times (when n - k + 1 components are down at once). The failed components are, depending on their state, either minimally repaired or replaced with spare parts from the inventory. Our goal is to find the inspection frequency and the inventory replenishment policy such that the total cost is minimized over a finite planning horizon. Two models are considered. First we will assume that the periodic inspections and the inventory replenishments are performed simultaneously. Then we will relax this assumption and allow independent inspections and inventory reviews. A simulation model is developed and heuristic search methods are used to find the optimal solution.
The Role of Primary Cancer Diagnosis in Determining Costs and Caregiver Burden Associated with Palliative Home Care
Keywords: cancer
caregiver burden
cost
home care
palliative care

Community-based palliative home care (CBPHC) has been repeatedly endorsed for expansion in Ontario. The objective of this thesis is to assess the role of primary cancer diagnosis in the costs and caregiver burden associated with CBPHC.Patients from two Ontario CBPHC programs were categorized using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (10th Ed.), differentiating tumour sites (i.e. breast) rather than tumour type (i.e. carcinoma). Diagnosis was integrated into econometric models alongside other important covariates, identified by conceptual frameworks of cost and burden, in order to ascertain its role in both. Findings suggest that there are differential care demands associated with recipients of CBPHC that are related to primary cancer diagnosis. Several tumour sites emerged as significant drivers of costs and caregiver burden. This is useful for the level of care and associated strain that can be expected upon admission into CBPHC, the maintenance CBPHC and its unpaid caregivers, and the personalization of care.
Task Complexity, Task Type, and Learner-learner Interaction: A Replication Study with Adult ESL Learners
Keywords: ESL
Learner-learner Interaction
Replication
SLA
Task-based learning
Task Complexity

Motivated by Robinson's Cognition Hypothesis (2001), research has investigated whether increasing task complexity leads to a higher number of interaction-driven learning opportunities, including language-related episodes (Swain Lapkin, 1998), which may lead to L2 learning (Kim, 2009; Robinson Gilabert, 2007; Nuevo, 2006). Kim (2009a) reports that both task type and proficiency play a role in mediating the relationship between task complexity and the occurrence of such opportunities. However, replication studies are needed to improve the generalizability of results particularly in studies with small sample sizes (Porte, 2012). This study is a conceptual replication of Kim (2009a). Sixteen pairs of adult ESL learners received pre-task modeling and completed four English language tasks differing in their complexity. The results partially confirm Kim's (2009a) findings while also highlighting the potential mediating effects of pre-task modelling on the relationship between task complexity and learner-learner interaction.
The Role of Genetic Variation across IL-1B, IL-2, IL-6 and BDNF in Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain
Keywords: antipsychotic-induced weight gain
BDNF
cytokine
genetics
IL-1B
side effect

Background: Antipsychotics with high weight-inducing propensities influence the expression of immune and neurotrophin genes, which have been independently related to obesity indices. Thus, we investigated whether polymorphisms across interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes are associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG).Methods: Nineteen polymorphisms were genotyped using Taqman® assays in 188 schizophrenia patients on antipsychotic treatment for up to 14 weeks. Mean weight change (%) from baseline was compared across genotypic groups using ANCOVA. A replication sample was used to validate findings.Results: In Europeans, IL-1 rs16944*GA (p=0.013), IL-1 rs1143634*G (p=0.001), and BDNF Val66Met (Val/Val, p=0.004) were associated with greater AIWG, as were IL-1 rs4849127*A (p=0.049), and IL-1 rs16944*GA (p=0.012) in African Americans. Epistatic effects were observed between BDNF Val66Met and IL-1 rs13032029 (Val/Met+TT, P
Determining the Role of Cin85 and CD2AP in Septin-mediated Cytokinesis
Keywords: CD2AP
Cin85
mammalian cytokinesis
protein-protein interaction
Septins

Septins are a family of GTP-binding proteins implicated in mammalian cytokinesis. Our lab has shown that the N-terminal region of SEPT9 is critical during the later stage of cytokinesis - abscission. The N-terminal region of SEPT9 contains two atypical proline-rich motifs targeted by certain SH3 containing proteins such as adaptor proteins Cin85 and CD2AP. Therefore it is possible that Cin85/CD2AP interacts with SEPT9 to complete cytokinesis. I have presented immunofluorescence microscopy images and abscission defect quantification data which strongly suggest that Cin85 and CD2AP function during cytokinesis. Through biochemical means, I have shown that the first three SH3 domains of Cin85 and CD2AP are required for their interaction with SEPT9 in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, the SEPT9 mutant that can not bind Cin85/CD2AP failed to rescue the abscission defect observed when SEPT9 is depleted. These results suggest that the interaction between Cin85/CD2AP and SEPT9 is required for abscission.
The Case for an African Centered Education System in Africa: A Case Study on African Leadership Academy, South Africa
Keywords: African Leadership Academy
African Leadership for development
African youth for Africa's Development
Afrocentric Education in Africa
Education for Social Change in Africa
Education Reform in Africa

This thesis makes a case for education reform in Africa. It argues for an education system that is African centered and poised to develop Africans who can serve as the agents and leaders of Africa's transformation.Through a case study of the leadership institution - African Leadership Academy (ALA), South Africa whose goal is to develop the next generation of African leaders that will transform Africa, this thesis illustrates the potential of an African centered education system in bringing about development in the continent. Also, the dreams, aspirations, and views of an important but often neglected group in deliberations about how to develop Africa - the average African (especially African youth) are presented. In so doing, the thesis provides a framework upon which an African centered education system in Africa can be developed from.
Topology Control in an Indoor Wireless Sensor Network using Realistic Propagation Models
Keywords: Channel Measurements
Channel Modelling
Energy Efficiency
Performance Evaluation
Topology Control
Wireless Sensor Networks

This thesis considers the problem of designing an energy-efficient communication backbone for a wireless sensor network deployed in an indoor environment. We propose and implement a Topology Control scheme to determine optimal sensor node transmission power levels that maintain a desired level of network connectivity. Power optimized singly connected network is constructed using a Minimum Spanning Tree based formulation. To achieve fault-tolerance, we employ a Matroid Intersection based approach to construct a Minimum Cost Rooted k-Outconnected Spanning Subgraph, basis for the computation of a Minimum Power k-Connected Spanning Subgraph, k > 1. Realistic wireless channel assumptions are made to construct the optimized network topologies. Field measurements are performed in an indoor office setup to characterize the channel parameters and hence evaluate the accuracy of various path loss models suitable for such propagation environments. Network simulations validate the necessity of exercising Topology Control to achieve network longevity.
Quenching H2O2 Residuals Using Granular Activated Carbon: Effect of pH and Biodegradation
Keywords: Biofilm
GAC
Hydrogen Peroxide
pH
Quenching

This thesis has two parts:Part IResidual H2O2, dissolved oxygen and pH data were observed for quenching of H2O2 by virgin, 1 year and 2 years old GAC in pilot columns. All GACs completely quenched 4 mg/L of H2O2 but not 10 mg/L H2O2. Active reaction sites in the columns were concentrated near the top for virgin and middle for aged GAC. Part IIPseudo first order reaction constant, k, for H2O2 quenching was measured for six different GACs, at three different age levels, in the pH range: 6.50 - 12.50. We observed a marked increase in k values above pH 11.00.H2O2 quenching by sand showed an increase from ~5% to ~10% in k value and from ~3% to ~10% in percentage quenching between week 3 and week 10 of bench scale experiments suggesting that biofilm was able to induce H2O2 quenching ability in an otherwise inert media.
Targeting the Mitochondrial Processing Peptidase as a Therapeutic Strategy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Keywords: Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Mitochondrial Processing Peptidase
Mitochondrial protein import
NanoString
shRNA

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous disease characterized by a wide variety of cytogenetic abnormalities. Treatment has been largely unchanged for the past two decades and prognosis is still poor; thus, new therapeutics is needed for this disease. Here, we explore the possibility of targeting the Mitochondrial Processing Peptidase (MPP) as a potential therapeutic target for AML. MPP is a heterodimeric zinc metallopeptidase that cleaves presequences following the import of nuclear encoded matrix space precursors. We demonstrate that MPP-α is overexpressed in a subset of AML patient blood and stem/progenitor populations. MPP-α is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues and strongly expressed in heart and brain. Furthermore, AML cell lines are differentially susceptible towards genetic knockdown of MPP-α with OCI-AML2 having the greatest decrease in cell viability and proliferation while K562 and TEX have moderate effects. These results warrant further investigation of MPP as a therapeutic target for AML.
Navigating Paradigmatic Waters: Using Concept Mapping As A Tool for Paradigm Dialogue Amongst Emerging Qualitative Researchers
Keywords: collaboration
concept mapping
methodology
paradigm
qualitative inquiry
social-constructivism

Emerging educational researchers are often faced with significant challenges as they enter into and navigate the expansive qualitative research field. Growing evidence supports the claim that increased focus needs to be placed on paradigm and methodology in order for educational researchers to make informed choices, situate their research, and to justify their methodological choices. On a wider scale, there is a call for a collaborative research culture and paradigm dialog[ue] amongst researchers to strengthen the qualitative inquiry community. As a result, this study reports on the findings of a socio-constructivist, collaborative concept mapping activity that was conducted in a graduate level introduction to qualitative inquiry course as a means of paradigm dialogue. Results of the analysis reveal the significant role of social interaction and storytelling as a lens for understanding qualitative inquiry. The study also addresses limitations and potential of both to face-to-face and online concept mapping applications.
Development, Analysis, and Validation of Parabolic Equation/Ray-Tracing Techniques in Railway Environments
Keywords: Applied Electromagnetics
Channel Modeling
Hybrid Model
Parabolic Equation
Ray Tracing
Wave Propagation

The deployment of modern communication-based train control (CBTC) systems in railway networks requires a thorough understanding of the radio-wave propagation characteristics. Parabolic equation (PE) and ray-tracing (RT) are well-known techniques for generating propagation models. RT is versatile yet computationally expensive for long guiding structures whereas the PE method is efficient yet considers only forward propagation. Thus, for railway applications, it is of central interest to hybridize the two methods, to obtain a computationally efficient and versatile model.In this thesis, a higher-accuracy PE solver is developed. Compared to traditional methods, it offers significantly better accuracy at no additional cost. Moreover, a systematic study of the numerical error and the relative performance of the PE methods is presented.Finally, a hybrid modeling technique, combining the RT and PE methods, is presented. This hybrid model is validated against measured data of canonical tunnels and an actual deployment site of CBTC systems.
Open Secularism And The Place Of Religion In Public Education: A Historical Analysis Of Quebec's New Ethics And Religious Culture Program
Keywords: Ethics and Religous Culture Program
History
Quebec
Religious Education
Secularization
Social Policy

As a Spiritual and Community Animator with the English Montreal School Board, I have been fascinated by the fact that even though Quebec has marched forward in the school secularization process, it has chosen to provide mandatory religious instruction in a normative framework. This vision of secularism, namely "Open Secularism," has been espoused by recent (1999-2008) government educational policies. The main question for this thesis is as follows - Why is religion still in the mandate of public education in Quebec? This thesis will follow the secularization process of the Quebec educational system which ultimately led to the establishment of the Ethics and Religious Culture (ERC) program in 2008. Using the conceptual lens of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of Social and Cultural Reproduction this thesis will also examine how the school system itself perpetuates dominant class structure - an aspect of the Quebec secularization story that is missing from the educational historiography.
Making Sense of National Socialism: Linguistic Ideology and Linguistic Practices in Germany, 1933-1939
Keywords: discourse analysis
history
language
linguistic ideology
National Socialism
political economy

This work approaches the question of how to make sense of German National Socialism from a joint political economic and linguistic perspective. It charts the historical emergence of Nazism and its linguistic ideology before analysing its linguistic practices in the fields of law, the mass media, and education. Plying these two strands together, it is argued that a racially-inflected understanding of language as "mother-tongue" informed the Nazis' re-envisioning of German community, while certain practical uses of language contributed to the Nazi state's attempt to make this community both discursively and materially real. Finally, the possibility is raised of extending the mode of enquiry modelled here to Italian Fascism and Spanish Francoism, but also to the linguistic ideologies and practices that characterise global capitalism, in an attempt to make sense of the present.
Design and Evaluation of a Portable Cost-Effective Biomechanics Analysis System Using Multiple Kinect Sensors
Keywords: Back Injuries
Biomechanical Analysis
Kinect
Motion Capture
Spinal Load Estimation
Trunk Rotation

Homecare workers have difficult jobs that place them at high risk of back injury. They perform challenging patient handling activities alone in confined spaces with limited equipment. We need to better understand the postures and techniques homecare workers utilize in order to develop effective solutions to reduce their risk of injury. Existing biomechanical tools require complex equipment and/or lengthy processing time. This work describes the design and evaluation of an inexpensive portable biomechanics evaluation system based on multiple Kinect sensors that addresses these limitations. Caregiver's joints are tracked and posturally-induced spinal loads are calculated. The Kinect system was compared to a gold standard Vicon system and was found to be very accurate overall, with RMS errors (SD) as low as 1.11° (0.97°), 0.86° (0.84°), and 1.80° (1.28°) for flexion, lateral bend, and twist respectively. Pilot tests conducted in simulated bathroom and bedroom settings demonstrated that the system is feasible to use in confined spaces.
The Democratization of Financing
Keywords: Crowdfunding
Entrepreneurship
Securities

This thesis seeks to contribute to the existing literature on equity crowd funding in Canada by putting forward the proposal that effective regulation of equity crowd funding offers a solution to counter Canada's poor track record of productivity and innovation vis-à-vis other developed nations. The equity crowd funding market is the future of early stage financing for start-ups. This emerging market presents an opportunity for the Canadian securities regulators to expand the exempt market in a cost-effective manner. For this market to succeed it is vital that a workable model is established, which is compelling to both investors and entrepreneurs, to realize significant benefits to the Canadian economy.
Determining the Effects of Fructose on Glycemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity in Individuals With and Without Diabetes using Meta-Analytical Tools
Keywords: Fructose
Glycemic Control
Guidelines
Insulin Sensitivity
Intervention Trials
Meta-Analysis

The objective was to conduct two systematic reviews and meta-analysis of controlled feeding trials to investigate the effect of fructose on measures of glycemic control and insulin sensitivity, in humans. The glycemic control analysis of 58 trials (n=1021) showed a clinically significant reduction in HbA1c when fructose was isoenergetically substituted for other carbohydrates, without adverse effects on fasting glucose or insulin. When fructose supplemented the background diet, providing excess energy, fasting glucose was elevated. Similarly, the insulin sensitivity (IS) analysis (45 trials, n=791) found a tendency for improvement in whole-body IS with fructose substitution, with no change in hepatic IS or HOMA-IR. Fructose supplementation, however, impaired hepatic IS with a trend for impairment in whole body IS and HOMA-IR. Overall, the results suggest that replacement of moderate doses of carbohydrate with fructose may have a beneficial effect on glycaemia and IS, although this effect may be negated with excess calories.
Who Monitors Biobanks? The Need for an Oversight Authority
Keywords: Biobanks
Privacy
Research

Biobanks are essential for developing innovative solutions to address human health challenges. At the same time such biobanks pose unique legal and ethical challenges, and raise many as yet unanswered questions, including how the collection of biological samples and information should be governed. I suggest that biobanks should have a clear regulatory structure and oversight system. I examine, in particular, the need for an oversight authority, arguing that the self-governance trend is not sufficient enough to ensure that all biobanks have proper governance practices, and that some formal regulation is needed to protect the integrity of research participants and to guarantee the security and confidentiality of the participants' information. I suggest that robust biobank governance mechanisms require not only their own governance system but that these must necessarily involve a formal oversight body by the state for licensing and monitoring and which has the power to impose sanctions.
Conditional p53 Deletion Promotes Adult Neurogenesis and Improves the Acquisition and Clearance of Contextual Fear Memory
Keywords: adult neurogenesis
conditional p53 deletion
contextual fear memory
dentate gyrus
immunohistochemistry

We crossed Nestin-CreERT2 mice and p53 flox mice to produce mice with heterozygous or homozygous p53 deletion in a tamoxifen (TAM)-dependent manner (named iKO-p53+/- and iKO-p53-/- mice, respectively). Result showed that dividing Ki-67+ cells and immature DCX+ neurons in the dentate gyrus were increased in iKO-p53+/- and iKO-p53-/- mice 4 weeks after the TAM injection. To study the retrograde effect of p53 deletion on behaviors, mice received TAM after the training in the CFC and was tested 4 week later. iKO-p53+/- mice displayed degraded contextual fear memory. To study the anterograde effect of p53 deletion on behaviors, mice received TAM 8 weeks before the training in the CFC and was tested o1 day after the training. Results showed a trend of increased contextual fear memory. Therefore the result provide evidence that increased adult neurogenesis is associated with improved acquisition and clearance of hippocampus-dependent contextual fear memory.