VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Urban District Reform for Equity: The Case of the Model Schools for Inner Cities Program in the Toronto District School Board
Keywords: achievement gaps
district
equity
opportunity gaps
reform
urban

Urban districts have failed to change the schooling and life outcomes of marginalized and racialized students, resulting in persistent achievement and opportunity gaps. This study explores urban district reform for equity through the lens of critical pedagogy, by exploring the case of the Model Schools for Inner Cities (MSIC) Program in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) from 2004-2014. TDSB is Canada's largest school district and is situated in a highly centralized and Neoliberal, provincial education system. The MSIC Program serves 150 elementary schools (over 1/4 of the schools in the TDSB), whose students face the greatest external barriers to success. Using the conceptual argument, Districts as Institutional Actors (Rorrer, Skrla Scheurich, 2008), this study explores how the MSIC Program implemented practices and pedagogies aimed at increasing student success, access and opportunities, with considerations for how the reform was initiated and sustained over time, and how participants understood and measured district reforms for equity. This study aims to explain, rather than evaluate the MSIC Program, and describes the tensions in implementing this reform in an era of accountability. Data was triangulated using two sets of interviews with 15 participants and 12 key documents using discourse analysis. Participants have been actively connected to the Program for a minimum of 2 years and include 3 from each of the following stakeholder groups: district leaders, MSIC Program staff, key principals, community partners and elected officials. Documents are publicly available in print and/or online, and include: program documents, district-level policy documents, professional articles, and program data. Findings suggest two main ideological approaches to closing opportunity gaps (charitable and transformative) that significantly influenced the direction of reform efforts. Reforms were further influenced by politics within and outside of the reform, and mediated by the leadership of key decision-makers. Ideological, political and leadership influences impacted three major tensions: accountability and responsibility; centralization and decentralization; and when and how to scale up reforms for equity. Key findings from this study highlight the need for a focus on transformative, social justice approaches to education, critical democracy in engagement and training in social justice leadership. This study informs future research and/or implementation for similar district reforms for equity.
The Form of the Firm: A Critical and Normative Theory of the Corporation
Keywords: Business Ethics
Corporate Governance
Normative Political Theory
Theory of the Firm
Transaction Costs
Worker Democracy

This dissertation explores the corporation from the perspective of normative political theory. As I argue, the corporation is not easily located within the theoretical matrix of liberal democracy. Because of this, a political theory of the corporation is required in order to evaluate whether our corporate institutions are consonant with the liberal democratic values we affirm. The first half of the dissertation explores the Chicago School’s political theory of the corporation. In this view corporations are taken to be the result of market-like individual voluntary initiatives, and therefore should be left alone for the sake of efficiency and liberty. The Chicago School argues for this, however, at the expense of coherence and sociological rigor. The better way to approach the corporation, I argue, is by seeing it as enabling what I call “norm-governed production.” On my account, firms overcome market inefficiencies by drawing on social and cooperative scripts that allow for cooperative activity that the market under-produces or does not produce at all. This analysis opens up an avenue for prescription and critique that does not deny the economic aspects of the corporation; if we admit that the efficiencies produced by the corporation entail normative scripts, and not merely voluntary contracts, then we can ask whether or not such scripts are compatible with our notions of fairness and justice. We can also ask whether changing scripts in the direction of fair or just relationships can be done without sacrificing too much in the way of corporate efficiency. In the second half of my dissertation I leverage this account of corporate efficiency into an alternative political theory of the corporation. I argue that our legal and political institutions ought to be restricted so as to protect corporations’ vulnerable parties and to encourage ownership patterns that empower those who make the most personal investments. I further argue that, from the perspective of business ethics, the corporation ought to be reconceived as an agent in maximizing efficiency while also being an agent for mitigating social injustice.
Teaching and Learning about Zoos and Biodiversity Conservation: Student, Teacher, and Zoo Staff Perspectives and Experiences
Keywords: case study
informal education
participant perspectives
science education
secondary education
zoos

This study is situated at the intersection of school science and zoo education programs. It seeks to contribute to the literature by focusing on the perspectives and experiences of students, teachers, and zoo staff. The research moves beyond focusing on a visit to the zoo to include a complementary unit of study in a science classroom. Using a case study research design (Yin, 1994), I engaged in a unit of study focusing on zoos and biodiversity conservation with a teacher and his Grade 11 biology class; conducted interviews with the teacher, 14 students, and 11 zoo staff; administered teacher and student surveys; and collected supporting documentation. The curricular context for this study aligned with STSE education emphases and strategies (Pedretti Nazir, 2011). Significant themes were identified in the data using the constant comparative method (Lincoln Guba, 1985) and formed the basis for six vignettes (Polkinghorne, 1995). It was found that the teacher and most students held mixed views (concurrently for and against zoos), except for one student who held a consistent against-zoos stance. The zoo staff held a predominately for-zoos stance, yet were concerned about poor public perception of zoos. Findings suggest that the complex nature of modern zoos in society (Hyson, 2004; Lindburg, 1999) was reflected in the participants' views. The teacher and zoo staff responded to these views in various ways, but educating the students about zoos was most common. The students stated that views against zoos did not impact their learning, although occasional tension over views occurred amongst students and the variable nature of zoos appeared to affect the students' willingness to learn in zoos. The students revealed that exposure to multiple perspectives influenced how they formed views on zoos, and educator positioning on zoos was noticed by the students. These findings suggest that the teacher and zoo staff faced pedagogical challenges when responding to multiple views on zoos, including positioning on issues and influence over students. Implications from this research are provided for consideration by researchers, teachers, and zoo staff.
Inhibition of Oxidation-Induced Misfolding of Mutant SOD1 in ALS using Small Molecules
Keywords: ALS
EGCG
SOD1

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons resulting in progressive paralysis that eventually leads to the death of an afflicted individual. In a majority of ALS cases, the cause of onset is unknown, but a small subset of ALS cases are linked to mutations in the protein Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Despite extensive research in this area, few treatments for ALS have been developed. Since the description of the disease by Jean-Martin Charcot in the mid-nineteenth century, only one drug, Riluzole has been approved in the management of this disease. We propose investigating therapeutic treatments of ALS by looking for small molecules that have the potential to stabilize the native structure of mutant SOD1 and prevent its misfolding and aggregation. We started our investigation by first devising a method to optimize the purification of wildtype and mutant SOD1 in our lab. We constructed a fusion protein of SOD1 linked to a yellow fluorescent protein, a hexahistidine tag, and a tobacco etch virus (TEV) cleavage site and showed that both wildtype and mutant SOD1 purified from this construct was active and metallated. We used our purified protein to explore the results of an in silico binding screen searching for SOD1 native-state binders. We discovered the flavonoid, epigallocatecin-3-gallate (EGCG) was able to inhibit the misfolding and aggregation of the ALS-causing mutation A4V-SOD1 exposed to oxidative stress. Additionally, we have evidence that the inhibitory effect of EGCG occurs through the stabilization of the dimer interface of mutant SOD1, rather than the anti-oxidant properties of this molecule. This is the first report of EGCG having anti-aggregation properties in an ALS model and these results implicate the potential therapeutic value of EGCG within the field of SOD1-ALS.
Bispecific Radioimmunoconjugates for Molecular Imaging and Radioimmunotherapy of HER2 Overexpressing Breast Cancer
Keywords: Bispecific Antibodies
Breast Cancer
HER2
Nuclear Imaging
Radioimmunotherapy
Trastuzumab

The HER2 receptor is overexpressed in approximately 20% of breast cancer (BC) cases, and is the target for multiple therapies. One challenge in treating HER2+ BC is that a large proportion of patients demonstrate resistance to therapy. Upregulation of other members of the HER family, plays an important role in resistance to HER2-targeted therapies. The hypothesis was that bispecific radioimmunoconjugates (bsRICs) developed against HER2 and another member of the HER receptor family would be able to successfully target cells expressing one or more receptor for molecular imaging and radioimmunotherapy of BC. Trastuzumab Fab fragments were conjugated to heregulin (HRG) or epidermal growth factor (EGF) with a 24-mer polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker, and labeled with 111In or 177Lu. 111In-DTPA-Fab-PEG24-HRG and 111In-DTPA-Fab-PEG24-EGF demonstrated the ability to specifically bind to one or both receptors on cancer cell lines, and demonstrated higher binding than monospecific agents recognizing HER2, HER3 or EGFR. SPECT imaging was performed on mice bearing tumour xenografts, and optimal tumour uptake was found 48 hr after injection. Biodistribution studies showed tumour: blood uptake ratios of 6-8. The cytotoxicity of 111In-DTPA-Fab-PEG24-EGF and 177Lu- DOTA-Fab-PEG24-EGF was evaluated through clonogenic assays which revealed specific cell killing. Radiation absorbed doses to tumours and normal tissues were estimated and compared for 111In and 177Lu-labeled bsRICs. The maximum injected amount of 177Lu-DOTA-Fab-PEG24-EGF which caused no observable adverse effects (NOAEL) was identified to be 11.1 MBq. Mice bearing trastuzumab-sensitive or resistant tumours were treated with 111In and 177Lu-labeled bsRICs and 177Lu-bsRICs were found to inhibit tumour growth more effectively than 111In-bsRICs due to a 9.3-fold higher radiation absorbed dose (55.0 vs. 5.9 Gy, respectively). These results suggest that bsRICs may be useful for imaging and radioimmunotherapy of HER2-positive BC co-expressing HER3 or EGFR. Co-expression of these receptors in HER2+ tumours is associated with resistance to HER2-targeted therapies.
Coming Full Circle - The Lifelong Journey of Becoming: An Exploration of Resilient Processes and Outcomes among Aboriginal Crown Wards of the Ontario Child Welfare System
Keywords: Aboriginal
child welfare
culture
identity
qualitative
resilience

Abstract Research on cultural identity clearly indicates that a healthy cultural identity is associated with positive outcomes including increased self-esteem, increased academic achievements, and higher reports of satisfying family interactions. This retrospective study explored the perceptions of culture, identity, and resilience among Aboriginal former Crown Wards of the Ontario government. Each participant in this research study reflected on the influence of their experiences of intergenerational trauma and being a Crown Ward in the development of their cultural identities. Overall findings indicate the importance of spirituality, culture, having purpose and meaning in life and acceptance of multiple identities, as they are critical elements of resiliency processes for former Aboriginal Crown Wards.
Different But Equal? A Developmental Analysis of Variability in Adolescents' Understandings of Social Justice
Keywords: Adolescence
Adolescent Development
Adolescent Social Cognition
Awareness
Social Justice
Social Perspective Taking

Coming of age in an increasingly diverse social world, contemporary youth must make sense of the complexities of social differences and the disparities that exist between privileged and marginalized groups. This mixed methods study had two main objectives: (1) to examine adolescents’ understandings of social justice through their social awareness and perspective taking in the areas of racism, sexism, and classism; and (2) to assess whether these understandings varied as a function of cognitive (critical thinking, moral judgment) and affective (empathy) skills. Ninety-eight adolescents in Grades 9 and 12, evenly divided by sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, completed a questionnaire measuring their awareness of social (in)justice in society at large and also participated in a semi-structured interview designed to assess their perspective-taking in hypothetical peer conflicts depicting these problems. Results showed that adolescents were moderately aware of social injustice overall, demonstrating greatest awareness of classism and least awareness of sexism. Qualitative analyses of interview responses revealed five levels of perspective taking, signifying increasingly mature interpretations of group differences. On average, participants assumed a `nominal` perspective that was naïve to social disparities and emphasized concerns about ‘equality’ over ‘equity’. Perspective taking was most sophisticated in the area of racism and least regarding sexism. Variability was also observed across grade, social location, and cognitive and affective skills. As expected, older adolescents demonstrated more mature understandings of social justice than younger adolescents. Furthermore, age-related differences were larger among adolescents attending higher SES schools. Minority youth showed greater awareness of racism than majority participants. Females demonstrated more mature understandings of sexism than males, and adolescents attending higher SES schools showed more mature understandings of classism than their lower SES counterparts. In addition, controlling for the effects of grade moral judgment predicted both social awareness and perspective taking, having the greatest effect in the area of classism and weakest in the area of sexism. Similarly, adolescents’ empathy levels predicted perspective taking in the area of sexism. These findings underline the importance of fostering adolescents’ understandings of social justice for the development of attitudes and behaviours that promote equity among all members of society.
From Plant Properties To Forest Function In Temperate Mixed Angiosperm-conifer Old Growth
Keywords: Acclimation
Adaptation
Biodiversity
Biogeochemistry
Ecosystem
Productivity

Ecosystem functions are the processes that cycle matter among vegetation, soils and the atmosphere. These processes are conventionally modelled as the physiological response of homogeneous plant cover driven by abiotic conditions over large areas. However, efforts invested in understanding how structural complexity within these homogeneous pixels influences ecosystem functions, especially the abundance and distribution of tree species, have led to substantial improvements in predictive accuracy. The ecosystem consequences of adaptive variation among plants were explored in a 13 ha old-growth plot located in Central Ontario's mixed conifer-angiosperm forest. Topography, soil moisture and soil nitrogen were found to structure the distribution of tree species: Conifers dominated the less fertile, xeric lake margin and tolerant hardwoods dominated the richer mesic interior. Patterns in functional composition reflected the trade-offs that have influenced the evolution of plant traits, especially the Leaf Economics Spectrum. Functional composition based on species-level traits, more than acclimation of growth rates along environmental gradients, translated into variability in stand structure and consequently biomass and productivity. Functional diversity was positively correlated with productivity. Rates of litter production and decomposition were quantified along the conifer-angiosperm gradient. Functional composition of litter assemblages accurately predicted decomposition rates and dominated temperature and moisture effects. Organic-horizon dynamics that resulted from coevolved green-leaf and litter properties have presumably acted to stabilize relative abundances in these plant-soil systems, through cultivation of nutrient levels more beneficial to existing assemblages than invaders. Functional diversity was negatively correlated with decomposition, which has likely favored conifers in mixed-species communities. Impacts of tree ontogeny on soil respiration were investigated for the hyper-dominant species, Acer saccharum Marsh. Following an intense rainfall, soil respiration was especially amplified in tree root zones. Post-rain root-zone fluxes increased with tree size, implying that ontogenetic processes have contributed soil-carbon dynamics. A trait-based perspective has linked adaptive variation among trees to ecosystem function. Important diversity effects on productivity and decomposition were detected, implying that increased representation of community structure in ecosystem models can lead to improved predictions. Investigating relationships between community and ecosystem processes in remaining old-growth forests is necessary to evaluate the potential functioning of degraded landscapes.
Regulation of Phagocyte Immunity by Lipid Signals
Keywords: Actin
Cytoskeleton
Macrophages
Phagocytosis
Phosphoinositides
Virulence

Phagocytosis, the process by which relatively large particles are internalized into a membrane-bound compartment known as the phagosome, is paramount to both fighting infection and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Professional phagocytes routinely contend with a large assortment of targets, ranging from small pathogenic bacteria to large fungal networks. Non-professional and professional phagocytes also cooperate in the daunting yet critical task of clearing hundreds of billions of apoptotic cells on a daily basis. By promptly removing effete cells, phagocytes prevent secondary necrosis and the onset of autoimmunity, aid in tissue remodelling during wound healing, and orchestrate morphogenesis throughout development. To carry out these functions, phagocytes must be able to effectively find, engulf and dispose of their prey. In this dissertation, I focus on the phagocytic response from the conceptual stages of: 1) capture, 2) uptake and 3) degradation-all presented as self-contained chapters-while placing particular emphasis on the mechanisms by which glycerophospholipids and diacylglycerols regulate these processes. I provide evidence that phosphatidic acid, which is uniquely enriched in the plasmalemma of professional phagocytes, facilitates the continuous membrane ruffling that underlies the uptake of particulate and fluid-phase antigen. Similarly, I argue that phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate biosynthesis signals actin remodelling during the uptake of large particles, thereby mediating the orderly progression of pseudopodia around large targets. I then discuss the role of diacylglycerol kinases in controlling deployment of the NADPH oxidase, thus fine-tuning the compromise between eliciting effective antimicrobial responses and preventing oxidative damage to the host. Notably, phosphoinositide signalling is often subverted by invading microorganisms in order to avoid phagocyte recognition. The final study in this thesis, also a self-contained chapter, describes a phosphoinositide-centric mechanism by which gliotoxin, an Aspergillus fumigatus mycotoxin, precludes macrophage immune defences.
Mental Health Counselling in Family Health Teams: A Narrative Inquiry
Keywords: Counselling
Family Health Teams
Mental Health

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of seven mental health counsellors as they come to understand counselling within a family health team setting. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were held with each participant and a narrative analysis yielded meta-themes of professional background, professional practice and interprofessional practice which aided in formulating an integrative model of mental health counselling within this setting. In conceptualizing counselling in this setting, participant told stories of facilitators and barriers to providing care and the process by which they came to understand these dynamics. Systemic issues of hierarchy in medicine and funding models are also discussed. This study adds to the discussion on mental health counselling in family health teams in southern Ontario and provides additional insight into recommendations for counselling practice within interprofessional teams.