VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
“Yo no Hablo Italiano (no)”. Negative Doubling in Chipilo, Mexico
Keywords: Chipilo
Italians in Mexico
Mexico
morphosyntactic transfer
negative doubling

This dissertation explores a phenomenon of negative doubling in Chipilo, Mexico, an area of contact between Spanish and Veneto (an Italo-Romance language). The current project presents a rare window for the study of simultaneous bilingualism and contact-induced language change through the combination of different methods: elicited conversational speech and experimental work. It has been hypothesized that Italo-Mexican bilinguals who speak Veneto (L1) and Spanish (L2) have transferred a second no in final position (no fui no ‘I did not go NEG’) from their L1 into Spanish, a language that does not allow repetition of the same negator in postverbal position. This study analysed the data of 117 participants (Chipileños, participants of mixed descent, and monolingual speakers) classified into two sex, two age and four ethnicity groups. The project investigated whether transfer was present and how social and linguistic factors influenced the phenomenon. Participants performed one semi-spontaneous task and three controlled tasks (Forced Choice Preference Task, Sentence Completion Task, and Sentence Repetition Task). The results reveal transfer from L1 to L2 in the bilinguals’ speech, specifically in the discourse of males and younger speakers across all four tasks, with the higher rate in two controlled tasks. With regard to linguistic factors, second negative mention and specific negators in a preverbal position had a significantly favouring effect on the production of negative doubling (ND), which suggests transfer effects from minority language to the majority language. Overall, this project is pioneering as it provides important insight into studying morphosyntactic variation, specifically negation in a bilingual context, by using a combination of sociolinguistic methodology and experimental work. This project makes crucial contributions to the field of language variation and change, by stressing the importance of studying variation through the interplay of structural and non-structural factors that promote or impede contact-induced changes in a given community.
Identification and Estimation of Empirical Games without Equilibrium Assumption
Keywords: Games
Identification
Nash Equilibrium
Unbiased Beliefs

Empirical studies of games typically rely on Nash Equilibrium. However, such solution concept is rejected by experimental evidence in many situations. The incorrect imposition of Nash Equilibrium can generate bias in both estimation and counterfactual prediction. Therefore, my thesis studies the identification and estimation of empirical games without equilibrium assumption. The first two chapters focus on discrete choice games with incomplete information. Instead of restricting players to have unbiased expectation as required by equilibrium, my model treats a player's belief about the behaviors of other players as an unrestricted unknown function. This belief function is estimated together with players' payoffs. The first chapter shows that the variations of players' choice sets identify the payoff and belief functions up to scale normalizations. Moreover, the hypothesis of unbiased belief is testable. I then empirically study store hours competition between McDonald's and KFC in China. The null hypothesis of KFC's unbiased beliefs is rejected. Furthermore, the estimated payoff functions indicate that the store hours decision is a type of vertical differentiation. The second chapter, co-authored with Victor Aguirregabiria, focuses on experimental games. We show that another source of identification (i.e. one variable affects one player's payoffs without affecting this player's belief) can achieve similar identification results as chapter 1. We then apply our methods to two sets of experiments. In the matching pennies game, a player can correctly predict the other player's behavior. In contrast, the hypothesis of unbiased belief is rejected in the coordination game. When players do not adopt equilibrium strategies, they can learn from their mistakes to better perform in the future. Therefore, the third chapter studies the identification of learning behaviors using experimental data. I consider a general model that nests commonly used learning procedures. More importantly, instead of assuming monetary payoff is players' actual utility as in existing literature, I treat utility as an unknown unrestricted function. Under weak conditions, I show that players' structural learning parameters and utility function are identified. The finite sample properties of MLE and consequences of misspecification of utility function are illustrated by a Monte Carlo simulation.
A Bioengineering Approach Towards Retina Regeneration
Keywords: Biomaterials
Blindness
Cell Therapy
Regenerative Medicine

Currently, there is no cure for blindness. Pharmacology can only slow down the progression of a blinding disease, aiming at minimizing the symptoms. Stem cell regenerative therapy is a novel and very promising approach to overcome blindness. It has shown some potential in the eye but there remain major obstacles to be overcome before it can turn into a clinical reality, namely, the integration and survival of transplanted cells. In this work, we follow a two-pronged approach to address these challenges. Studies of photoreceptor development and degeneration could previously only be performed in vivo, due to the extremely poor survival of isolated photoreceptors in culture. Here, we describe a three-dimensional culture platform that enables isolated mouse postnatal day 11 rod photoreceptor survival and maturation in vitro and investigate its mechanism of action. We show that material stiffness does not affect photoreceptor survival and instead identify hyaluronic acid (HA) as its bioactive component. We investigate the molecular pathways activated by HA on photoreceptors and find that the Wnt, RhoA and mTOR pathways are its downstream effectors. The photoreceptors and the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) of the retina have a well-established mutual relationship in development, homeostasis and degeneration. In the second part of this work, we assess whether co-transplanting human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE and mouse postnatal day 11 rod photoreceptors in an HA hydrogel can improve behavioral recovery and cell survival compared to transplanting each cell type alone. We first validate the NaIO3 mouse model, which recapitulates advanced retinal degeneration. We next demonstrate that visual recovery in this model can be achieved only when RPE and photoreceptors are co-transplanted, as evidenced by three different outcome measures. This is accompanied by superior cell survival for both cell types in the co-transplant group. Our findings will guide future research and translation for retinal degenerative diseases.
Venantius Fortunatus and Christian Theology at the End of the Sixth Century in Gaul
Keywords: Christianity
Fortunatus
Gaul
Theology
Venantius

The writings of the poet Venantius Fortunatus are a major historical source for the study of Gallic society in the sixth century CE. The amount of Christian doctrine treated in these writings is considerable, and provides a fascinating perspective on late sixth-century Gallic theological thought and how it fit into broader Christian discussions of doctrine across the Mediterranean world. This approach to studying Fortunatus’ writings is different from previous scholarship on the poet, and in addition to shedding light on Gallic society’s approach to doctrinal issues will also serve to illumine Fortunatus’ own capacity for theological discourse. Part 1 of this thesis explores his two extant sermons, one on the Apostles’ Creed (The Expositio symboli) and the other on the Lord’s Prayer (The Expositio orationis dominicae). The Expositio symboli of Fortunatus, when considered in the context of both the text from which it was adapted, Rufinus of Aquileia’s fifth-century Expositio symboli, and other sermons on the same subject from the fifth and sixth centuries, showcases his skill at shaping and transmitting Christian doctrine. The Expositio dominicae orationis also does this, but has the additional facet of containing a strong polemic against semi-Pelagianism. It becomes clear from this polemic that Fortunatus held to a strongly Augustinian doctrine of the freedom of the will. Part 2 of this thesis looks at Fortunatus’ interaction with the Christological controversies of the sixth century, centring around the Three Chapters schism fomented by the decisions of the Second Council of Constantinople held in 553. Fortunatus’ writings that touch on the subject display a careful attitude towards the schism that sought to reconcile the two sides. Venantius Fortunatus shows himself to be adept at doctrinal exposition amidst a late sixth-century Gallic church that retained a vibrant interest in these matters.
Unpopular Meters: Irregular Grooves and Drumbeats in the Songs of Tori Amos, Radiohead, and Tool
Keywords: Drum
Irregular meter
Popular music
Rhythm and meter
Rock music

This dissertation investigates the drumbeat’s role in articulating irregular metric structures in rock music from the past three decades. Having analyzed a corpus of 240 songs, I theorize several distinct categories of metric irregularity; establish drumbeat conventions in the most common irregular grooves; explore connections between drumbeat, meter, hypermeter, and form; and present numerous examples of unique or idiosyncratic drumming practices. While explaining metric trends broadly within a historically situated genre, my research also highlights the metric idiolects of Tori Amos, Radiohead, and Tool. The dissertation comprises three parts. Part I establishes my theoretical position and methodological framework. In Chapter 1, I stress the importance of the snare drum in the mapping of unfamiliar metric terrain: through constant exposure to the backbeat as the standard drumbeat of 4/4 meter, popular music listeners have come to equate snare-drum articulations with a specific metric implication, which informs our interpretation of metrically irregular structures. Chapter 2 establishes a historical and generic context for discussing metric irregularity in recent rock and delineates the boundaries of the corpus. Part II consists of an annotated catalogue of every repeating metrically irregular drumbeat in the corpus. Cyclic patterns are the essence of metric hierarchy; thus, these grooves are essential to understanding the relationship between irregular meter and drumbeat. Chapter 3 reviews metrically regular drumbeat patterns other than the backbeat, including the tresillo and various triple and compound meters. Chapter 4 focuses on the two most common irregular meters—quintuple and septuple—each of which bears a distinct relationship to regular metric archetypes and, therefore, reveals a characteristic approach to irregularity. Chapter 5 concerns more complex patterns that arise in larger repeating cycles. Part III looks at non-repeating irregularities. I theorize three distinct types and discuss idiomatic uses in the music of my core artists in Chapter 6. The simplest isolated irregularities concern a single measure, but some structures affect a whole formal section. Chapter 7 shifts to the analysis of full songs, demonstrating the utility of my theoretical innovations.
Effects of Osteoblast-Specific GαS Overexpression on Skeletal Development and Response to Catabolic and Anabolic Stimuli Using a Transgenic Mouse Model
Keywords: Biomechanics
Bone
GNAS
G protein
Parathyroid Hormone
Trabecular

GαS is a heterotrimeric G protein that transduces signals from cell surface G protein-coupled receptors to stimulate intracellular signaling cascades. Clinically, tight regulation of GαS levels and activity are required for bone homeostasis and aberrant GαS activity is known to cause various bone disorders. Our lab has previously found a 6-fold variation in GαS protein levels in lymphocytes from children, suggesting significant variability in cellular GαS levels amongst individuals. To examine the effects of increased GαS expression on bone in vivo, our lab has generated a transgenic mouse model of osteoblastic GαS overexpression (HOM-Gs mice) driven by the 3.6 kb Col1a1 promoter. HOM-Gs mice demonstrated increased trabecular bone mass compared to wild type (WT) mice. Furthermore, HOM-Gs cortical bone was porous and mechanically weak. This skeletal phenotype showed a pronounced progression with age. Continual accrual of trabecular bone occurred in HOM-Gs mice, whereas a loss of bone was observed in WT mice. Histologically, these changes in skeletal morphology were shown to be mediated by increased bone turnover. At the cellular level, HOM-Gs mice exhibited overactive osteoblasts resulting in increased bone formation and increased resorption through enhanced osteoclastogenesis. In response to anabolic (intermittent) parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment, HOM-Gs mice displayed enhanced increases in trabecular bone mass compared to WT mice. Moreover, HOM-Gs mice demonstrated robust anabolic effects in trabecular bone from treadmill exercise when WT mice did not respond. Interestingly, HOM-Gs mice responded catabolically, similar to WT mice, to low calcium diet, but were resistant to the catabolic effects of continuous PTH. Collectively, these results suggest that stimulation of GαS signaling in the presence of additional GαS protein drives bone anabolism when sufficient calcium levels are present. Despite the increases in bone mass however, no biomechanical improvements were observed, indicating that bone formation was favored at the cost of bone quality.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Investigating the Impact of Bariatric Care and the Role of Immune Function
Keywords: Bariatric Surgery
Gut Bacteria
Immune Function
NAFLD
Obesity

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis (SS) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. It is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease resulting from obesity. 74-98% of morbidly obese individuals have NAFLD at the time of bariatric surgery. Post-bariatric surgery, NAFLD significantly improves but some patients continue to have persistent disease, particularly fibrosis. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex. In addition to insulin resistance, recent research suggests a potential role for liver immune function and intestinal microbiota (IM). The objectives of this research were 1) to prospectively evaluate the impact of bariatric care on metabolic and liver histology parameters by studying two bariatric care interventions: the routinely prescribed pre-operative very-low calorie diet (VLCD) and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB); and 2) to explore in a cross-sectional study whether there are differences in liver immune cells between NAFLD and healthy subjects and whether there are associations with intestinal microbiota (IM). Specifically, the plan was to assess: 1) liver histology post-VLCD and factors associated with NAFLD; 2) the effects of RYGB on liver histology and the factors associated with persistent NAFLD at 12-months post-RYGB; 3) liver immune cell counts in NAFLD compared to controls and the association between these cell counts and IM. We found that at the time of surgery (post-VLCD), the prevalence of NAFLD was low, likely due to the effect of the VLCD. Those with NASH had higher insulin resistance and presence of diabetes prior to the diet. At 12-months post-RYGB there were further improvements in anthropometry, metabolic measurements and liver histology. However, those with persistent NAFLD had less improvement in waist circumference and glycemic control. The cross-sectional study showed that specific liver immune cells, namely CD163, CD20 and CD45 were significantly increased in NAFLD versus controls and that immune cell counts were significantly correlated with specific bacterial taxa. In conclusion, both VLCD and RYGB have beneficial effects on metabolic and histological parameters but those with persistent NAFLD are more metabolically impaired despite similar interventions. Other potential mechanisms, such as a potential interplay between IM and liver immune cells, require further investigation.
The Identification and Management of Sepsis in the Prehospital Setting
Keywords: Diagnosis
Paramedic
Sepsis

Introduction: Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection and remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. Early identification and prompt treatment are essential to improving outcomes of patients with sepsis, and in established healthcare systems Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics are often the first healthcare contact for these patients. To promote earlier identification and timely delivery of effective treatment, a better understanding of the epidemiology of patients with sepsis who are encountered by EMS is required. Objective: This thesis 1) describes characteristics of patients with infections and sepsis encountered by EMS in a large Canadian province, 2) validates existing approaches for the identification of infections and sepsis by paramedics, and 3) evaluates the impact of a current EMS treatment on process and patient outcomes. Synthesis: The one-year incidence of sepsis among EMS-transported patients was 2.1%. For patients with sepsis, the in-hospital mortality rate was 28% - accounting for 12% of all deaths occurring in EMS-transported patients. Paramedics documented suspicion of sepsis in only 11% of patients with infections and 9% of patients with sepsis. To improve identification, operational characteristics (e.g. dispatch categories) and temperature measurement can identify patients with higher risk of infection. Then simple screening strategies can be applied to these patients to identify those at high-risk for sepsis diagnosis. Intravenous fluid treatment by paramedics for patients with sepsis was associated with reduced mortality in patients with low initial systolic blood pressure, but harm in patients with high initial systolic blood pressure. Conclusion: EMS systems should implement simple screening strategies to promote earlier identification of patients with infections and sepsis, who are at high-risk for mortality and require urgent intervention.
Co-construction of Pedagogical Documentation by Children and Educators in Early Learning Environments
Keywords: children
co-construction
early childhood educators
early learning
pedagogical documentation

This qualitative, design-based research study aimed to examine the factors that influence and are influenced by the co-construction of pedagogical documentation by educators and children in early learning settings. Throughout a six-month study period, seven early childhood educators located at three early learning settings in Nova Scotia were asked to co-construct documentation with the children, by the children, and for the children. Using qualitative research methods, including interviews, questionnaires, site visits, document sampling and a child focus group, data were collected and then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach within a social constructivist research paradigm. Findings, which were organized within the themes of value and validation; reflection and relationships; and processes and practicalities, indicate that the factors involved in this co-construction process are complex and varied. The factors that influenced the co-construction process ranged from the practical considerations of time, setting, materials, and technical support to educator values, attitudes and beliefs about the involvement of children in the documentation process. Factors that were influenced by the process included the educator-child relationship; educator’s perception of children’s abilities to reflect and recall their experiences (metacognition); the inclusion of children’s voices as an element of intentional program planning, and parents’ understanding of how and what their child learns in a play-based setting.
Two Essays on Empirical Asset Pricing
Keywords: Empirical asset pricing

The main theme of my doctoral research is empirical asset pricing. The first chapter of this thesis focuses on the time series predictability of stock returns. I provide improved methods for estimating a predictive regression model system where the future aggregate stock return is regressed on the current value of a single predictor, and the innovations are correlated normal random variables. I propose improved estimators of the predictive slope which practically eliminate finite-sample biases and achieve small mean squared errors. I develop fast computing methods for evaluating the probability distribution of the OLS predictive slope, which enables an exact performance measurement of these estimators. This also facilitates a comparison of several prominent tests of return predictability with respect to their actual test sizes. The usefulness of these econometric methods is illustrated using U.S. equity data. The second chapter is a joint work with Ruslan Goyenko and Chayawat Ornthanalai. We study the determinants of option illiquidity measured by relative bid-ask spreads of intraday option transactions on S 500 firms over an extended period. We find that market makers' hedging costs significantly impact option illiquidity with the future rebalancing cost dominating the initial delta-hedging cost. Inventory risk and adverse selection also contribute to the cross-sectional variation in option illiquidity, with the latter effect intensifying around information events. We find that option-induced order flows predict their underlying stock returns only when option illiquidity simultaneously increases. This suggests that shocks to option illiquidity help to distinguish abnormal order flows that contain private information from those induced by liquidity trading. We show that a simple stock portfolio strategy contingent on option illiquidity shocks yields a risk-adjusted return of 16.35% per year.