VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Proof-of-concept model of a tethered, high-altitude, rigid-wing platform
Keywords: Aerodynamics
Kites

This paper covers the construction and testing of a proof-of-concept model of a high altitude, rigid-winged, tethered aircraft. The aircraft is designed as a replacement for aerostats, to act as a payload positioning platform for communication and surveillance equipment. The initial design was found to be unstable through testing, and a series of 60 cm wingspan, small-scale models were constructed to experimentally modify the design into a stable aircraft. Once a suitable design was obtained, a 1.2 m scale model was constructed with a horizon sensing, closed-loop proportional feedback control system for lateral stability augmentation. The stability-augmented model flew stably, for extended periods. Lift and drag measurements were obtained from the flight tests and compared to theoretical calculations. A wind tunnel test was also conducted on the small-scale model to verify the flight test results. Finally, improvements to the stability control system design were suggested, and recommendations were made for larger-scale model construction.
From humanism to the Reformation: Letters of recommendation in early modern Germany (1490--1560)
Keywords: Employment references
Interpersonal relations, History
Interpersonal relations, Germany
Social interaction, History
Social interaction, Germany
Letters, History and criticism
Humanism
Reformation

This study offers a cultural and intellectual history of letters by humanists and reformers written to recommend candidates for positions in the schools, the clergy, or government service in early modern Germany. These letters were shaped by the educational, cultural, professional or doctrinal agendas of humanism and Protestantism. The thesis illuminates the triangular relationship among authors, those recommended, and the recipients of the letters. Particular emphasis is placed on the role friendship and kinship played in letters of recommendation, for the letters show that a deliberate and continuous attention to the fashioning and advertising of one's album amicorum, one's list of friends, was necessary in order to win powerful patrons among established intellectuals. In the first half of the sixteenth century, the reformation perturbed humanist patterns of personal and professional friendship, as creed and confession came to displace the bonae literae as the common ground amongst friends. This study also explores the rhetorical strategies by which humanists and reformers recommended neophyte scholars for positions in education, church or state. The words and phrases used in letter of recommendation not only provide a graphic depiction of the person of the recommended, but also reveal what their authors identified as the qualities of the ideal job candidate. The rhetoric of the letters changed over the period, as previous concerns for a proper humanist style became subsumed in more immediate concerns of confession, orthodoxy and public concord. The letters enhance our understanding of the job market for people with advanced education, of how people obtained positions, and of the grounds on which hiring decisions were made. Humanists and reformers wrote informal, personal recommendations that were intended just for their friends, but formal recommendations to a university senate, a nobleman or town council. Moreover, they promoted the scholarship of other scholars by writing prefaces to their proteges' publications, using strategies developed for letters of recommendation to recommend the works as well as the men.
Environmental sustainability: understanding young adults' learning, thinking, and actions
Keywords: Health education
Science, Study and teaching
Curriculum planning

This thesis explores the ways in which young-adults' environmental learning and experiences influence their decision to live sustainably. In particular, this thesis focuses on young adults' environmental and sustainability learning. It elaborates on young peoples' views about environmental and sustainability issues, such as climate change, the sources for their learning about these issues, and how young adults' learning encounters, in turn, affect their actions toward environmental protection and decision-making. Through a series of in-depth individual interviews with 18 young adults from three universities in southeastern Ontario, this qualitative study provides in-depth insight into young adults' understanding, learning experiences, and actions in relation to environmental and sustainability issues. Employing a Contextual Model of Learning framework the narratives of the young adults in this study are analyzed and discussed within three overlapping environmental learning contexts: personal, sociocultural, and physical settings. This framework allows for an examination of the complex interactions and relationships that shape how and where environmental learning occurs. The findings in this study suggest that the three overlapping learning contexts, that is the personal, sociocultural, and physical play an important role in shaping young adults' learning about environmental and sustainability issues. The data reveal that despite the unavailability or near-absence of environmental studies and education within the formal school curriculum (particularly at the elementary and high school levels), the young adults rely on other locations for learning, such as the internet, environmental non-governmental organisations (ENGOs), television, and family. In light of this, the research participants suggest the re-introduction of environmental programs and content in the school curriculum. Finally, the results of this study demonstrate the centrality of knowledge and experience in relation to environmental and sustainability issues in the actions and thoughts of the young adult research participants. This study makes an important contribution to the field of environmental and sustainability education by demonstrating the critical role of learning in a knowledge society. It illuminates the implications of various learning contexts for a sustainable global environment and future. Furthermore, it provides insight into the views of young adults regarding the future of the global environment and current sustainability initiatives in a world that faces ever-greater challenges.
The role of education in violent conflict and peacebuilding in Rwanda
Keywords: History
Political sociology
Educational sociology

Schools are an important factor in constructing group identities and attitudes toward the other, yet are understudied by scholars of conflict and peacebuilding. This dissertation comparatively examines how the structure and content of ordinary education contributed to both ethnic conflict and peacebuilding in Rwanda. It suggests specific social-structural and psycho-cultural mechanisms that situate education among the causes of violence, and potentially and more tentatively, sustainable peace. Findings are based upon approximately 100 one-on-one interviews conducted in Rwanda and Belgium, and documentary analysis of curriculum and archival material.
Of social and economic rights and neo-liberal constitutions
Keywords: Social rights, Israel
Civil rights, Israel
Social rights, Canada
Civil rights, Canada
Social rights, South Africa
Civil rights, South Africa

I examine a possible method of deriving social and economic rights from the existing constitutional text by implying a broad social interpretation to rights that are currently perceived as civil and political. This thesis grapples with the status of social and economic interests in South Africa, Canada and Israel. By comparing these three states I wish to examine the possibility of implementing social and economic rights in Israel and Canada. I argue that the test created by the South African Constitutional Court to scrutinize social and economic policy in South Africa—a reasonableness test—may suit an application of social and economic rights in Canada and Israel. I argue that the current political atmosphere in Israel and Canada prevents the possibility of entrenching social and economic rights in the Constitutions of Canada and Israel (either by amending the Constitution or by entrenching a separate social and economic charters of rights).
Second language learning motivation from an activity theory perpsective: longitudinal case studies of Korean ESL students and recent immigrants in Toronto
Keywords: English language, Study and teaching
Koreans, Language
Koreans, Ontario
Motivation in education
Activity coefficients

In order to establish a non-reductionistic and genetic L2 motivation theory based on individuals' unique histories, I investigated the trajectories of Korean ESL learner's second language (L2) learning motivation, from an Activity Theory (AT) perspective. To date, neither the psychometric tradition nor newer sociological approaches have fully investigated the dialectical nature of L2 motivation. Based on Vygotskian Sociocultural Theory and AT, I define L2 learning motivation as an L2 learner's realization of the personal significance of an L2-related activity, resulting from the learner's sense of participation in L2 activity systems. Over a period of 12 months, I collected data from 10 Koreans who had recently arrived in Toronto: five ESL visa students and five immigrants. To highlight their paths of motivational development, I focused on four participants who showed similarities in age, previous educational background, and work experience. I collected data using five methods: participant background profiles, semi-structured interviews, L2 learning autobiographies, class observations, and photo-cued recall tasks. Of these methods, interviews received most of my attention, since I conducted them monthly. Eight motivational components emerged out of a series of NVivo analyses. The findings of this thesis imply that the quality of L2 interaction is equally important as the quantity in creating and maintaining L2 learning motivation, and that interviews are not only a research tool but also a learning tool for enhancing learners' metacognitive awareness. I argue that (a) needs, motives, and motivation should be differentiated within an AT perspective, (b) motivation is the transformation of a motive integrated with specific, concrete goals and a sense of participation, (c) demotivation is the gradual disintegration of motive, goal, and sense of participation, whereas amotivation is the total disintegration of the above three elements, (d) L2 learners' beliefs may play a crucial role as mediational tools in activity systems, and (e) the interpretation of participants' data cannot solely depend on its face value but requires close reference to each participant's unique L2 learning history.
Educators collaborating across cultures in a computer mediated communications environment
Keywords: Telecommunication
Computer conferencing
Multimedia systems
Information technology, Computer-assisted instruction
Information retrieval

This study sought to understand how teachers from different cultures, i.e., Canada and England, learned to collaborate in a computer mediated communications environment. Groups of teachers formed groups through a face-to-face meeting and then worked together in a CMC environment to design common learning experiences for their students. Insights into how the process of collaboration developed in CMC were gained through a qualitative case study in which data were collected through interviews, email dialogue, a survey, and the researcher's journal and field notes. Analysis of the case data showed that: (1) the newly formed groups, working in a CMC environment, worked through a series of group functioning stages, (2) teachers in the Project thought it was important to know the group members well and that face-to-face interaction helped with this, (3) the newly formed groups working in a CMC environment were influenced by the new collaborative relationship as well as the computer technology and therefore required additional time to complete tasks, (4) easy access to computers for emailing was necessary, (5) the groups of teachers collaborating in a CMC environment successfully collaborated to create a product, (6) establishing situations in which groups of teachers collaborate through CMC can effect change in the teaching/learning environment, (7) differences between educational issues and structures imposed on individual group members impacted on group members' ability to collaborate in CMC, and (8) the extent to which cultural diversity manifests itself was unresolved due to the similarities of the English and Canadian cultures. Slight differences in holidays impacted somewhat on the flow of email dialogue. The implication for change endeavours is that collaboration in a CMC environment can be an effective change strategy. Teachers in the two case studies emerged from the Project with confidence in their abilities to collaborate in a CMC environment and to continue to, through this medium, productively create/design learning experiences for their students. Participants found it difficult to work in a CMC environment. Their work demanded careful planning and extensive support.
State aids in the European Union for the pharmaceutical industry: developing a solution to plaguing issues
Keywords: Subsidies, European Union countries
Pharmaceutical industry, European Union countries

Describes the Internal Market and the methods used to achieve it. Examines the techniques utilized by the European Union institutions in attempting to achieve a single market for pharmaceutical products. Discusses the limited effect of the Transparency Directive and of parallel trade in facilitating the attainment of a single market for pharmaceuticals. Explains the inefficiencies created by the promotion of parallel imports of pharmaceuticals; inefficiencies very specific to the pharmaceutical industry because pharmaceutical pricing competence remains at the national level. Highlights judicial inadvertence to these specific inefficiencies in interpreting Articles 30, 81 and 82 of the Treaty establishing the European Community by presenting recent jurisprudence of the European Union courts. Argues that the use of state aids to fund the research and development activities of the pharmaceutical industry could effectively minimize the parallel importation of pharmaceuticals and assist in harmonizing national pharmaceutical price control policies.
International IP protection for GMO: A biotech odyssey
Keywords: Transgenic organisms, Patents
Transgenic organisms, Law and legislation
Bioengineering, Patents

This paper deals with IP protection for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) under the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). It outlines the potential of GMOs and shows why effective patent protection is a necessary prerequisite for research in this area. It argues that the TRIPs minimum requirements do not mandate sufficient standards for GMO patents--they do not require patent protection for most biotechnological inventions. Subsequently, it explores the consequences of this lack of harmonization. Employing salient arguments for and against IP-harmonization, it demonstrates that harmonized effective patent protection for GMOs confers significant advantages on the participating countries, but hardly any disadvantages. Moreover, it indicates that effective IPRs mitigate the more widespread use of Genetic Use Restriction Technology(ies) (GURTs). It concludes with showing why multilateral harmonization is necessary and why developing countries are deterred from unilaterally raising the standard of IP protection for GMOs.
Spirals of peace: Learning from the lives of women peacebuilders in the United States
Keywords: Women and peace, United States
Social justice
Women pacifists, United States
Spirals, Religious aspects
Pottery craft

This qualitative study uses life history research methods that are autobiographical, relational, and arts-informed to explore some of the beliefs, attitudes, values, practices, and life experiences of a small number of women in the United States who demonstrate a commitment to peace and social justice -- in other words, women peacebuilders. In particular, the study seeks to understand: (1) how women peacebuilders understand and practice peace in all aspects of their lives, and (2) some of the experiences that have been influential in shaping their paths as peacebuilders. By integrating literature on peace and peacebuilding with the women's stories, the study develops a perspective of peace that is dynamic, holistic, and integral. It also recognizes and honors the many ways women peacebuilders live and build peace in their relationships to self, others, and nature. Finally, the study shares stories that can inspire, build understanding, and provide examples to others.
The colour of trauma: new perspectives on racism, politics and resistance
Keywords: Racism
Race awareness
Educational sociology
Equality
Minorities

In wanting to critically address the everyday 'micro-aggressions' that affect, damage and violate our racialized lives, this project seeks to bridge the gap between anti-racist theory and the possibilities of personal resistance and agency. As a qualitative investigation of everyday racism and resistance this work is intended to interrogate how our lives are breached and ruptured by racialized experiences of intrapsychic and psychological trauma, and how in turn those violations might be resisted and/or repaired. More specifically, I examine the implications of what I term 'racial trauma' for our experience of racial oppression: (a) the notion of vulnerability in the aftermath of such trauma; (b) to understand the processes through which racialized peoples might move towards a greater critical consciousness; and (c) in turn, to [re]imagine and [re]write the possibilities for a self-mobilizing/self-actualizing praxis that might speak to the question of healing and the possibility of resisting 'the traumatic'. Employing a qualitative research design, I interviewed 14 people of colour who asserted a personal philosophy, politics or dedication to an anti racist ontology in the hopes of better understanding the processes of identity formation through which they negotiate, perform and re-negotiate their subject positions. The participant narratives are engaged to argue in favour of a new diagnosis in 'traumatic theory': an approach that might speak to the variety of 'traumatic reactions' that arise within the psycho-socially constructed experience of race and racial oppression. Furthermore, I also interrogate the possibilities for social change that arise from positive/critical shifts in our psychological, emotional and physiological experience of race and racism. In interrogating these oppositional knowledges and strategies, I offer in conclusion, a challenge to conventionally accepted models of schooling and their potential to produce and reproduce affective, psychological, intrapsychic and physiological reactions of terror, pain, helplessness and disconnection among the racially oppressed. Placing considerable emphasis on the social construction of the self, this work asserts that there must be space in which to account for how the racialized might think critically to cognitively/consciously oppose and resist their oppression. As trauma is very much a part of everyday life for racialized peoples, I assert that it is of dire importance that we begin to assess and address these issues as an avenue towards real liberatory and just social change. This research is employed towards these ends. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Making connections: Social network sites, privacy and law
Keywords: Online social networks, Law and legislation
Privacy, Right of

Social network sites (SNSs) represent a new venue for social interaction as well as a new source of concerns for privacy. This thesis explores the privacy implications of SNSs and identifies the difficulties of traditional privacy discourse to capture their unique challenges. It argues that it may be time to rethink traditional privacy law in order to accommodate privacy interests in online conduct and emphasizes the relevance of identity-based accounts of privacy. It also considers the application of data protection law in light of Lindqvist, the first decision to interpret the European Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC in the context of the Internet. It argues that what Lindqvist suggests is that the privacy interest of individuals in controlling their 'digital identity' should not be ignored in the age of new communication technologies.
The simulation of flexible aircraft
Keywords: Aerodynamics, Mathematical models
Stability of airplanes, Mathematical models
Aeroelasticity, Computer simulation

This study investigates the simulation of flexible aircraft. The theoretical development of a generic flexible aircraft model is reviewed, with the flexible degrees-of-freedom being added to an existing model of the aircraft's rigid-body dynamics. By using a Finite Element Analysis program, a simple generic flexible aircraft was modeled. A modal analysis was preformed on the aircraft, with the individual mode shapes being used in Aerodynamic Strip Theory to obtain aeroelastic stability derivatives. This was followed by a flight simulator test employing a flexible Rockwell B1 Bomber. Elevator stick inputs were applied to obtain time history responses that were used to determine the dynamic effects due to flexibility. The study concluded by employing the UTIAS Flight Research Simulator motion base and visual system to determine the amount of phase shift present for a range of frequencies corresponding to the structural responses of a flexible aircraft.
Exchanging experiences: knowledge-sharing through formal collaboration at BRAC and the Grameen Trust
Keywords: Nonprofit organizations, Bangladesh
Non-governmental organizations, Bangladesh

The experiences vested in the individuals, procedures, records and actions of an organization are a valuable asset. Together they constitute an organization's knowledge. In the non-profit sector this knowledge has the potential to be shared amongst organizations wishing to learn from one another. Inter-organizational collaboration can be particularly valuable to non-profits in the social development sector and can help contribute to the achievement of the goals set out by them. This thesis examines the formal knowledge-sharing mechanisms established by two Bangladeshi organizations, BRAC and The Grameen Trust. The examination of the models established by them sheds light on the dynamics of knowledge-sharing through collaboration amongst development organizations, with a particular focus on the motivations, benefits and challenges of such collaboration. In addition it identifies key characteristics that can be learned from and that contribute to and hinder meaningful relationships amongst organizations. Finally it identifies areas where further study would be valuable.
Symbolic mediation and preschoolers' performance on prudent decision-making tasks
Keywords: Learning, Psychology of
Reward (Psychology) in children
Decision making in children
Perception in children

Sixty-three 3 1/2--5 1/2 year-olds were assigned to one of four conditions: the Standard condition, in which participants were presented with the option of having one reward immediately, or having two or more rewards at the end of the task (about 15 minutes later); the Symbol condition, in which participants were shown cards depicting asterisks that stood for the different quantities of rewards; the Hidden condition, in which the rewards were covered with opaque bowls; and the Hidden Symbol condition, in which the rewards were covered with opaque bowls that had asterisk cards affixed to them. Analyses revealed no hiding effects for any sample of participants, but the subset of participants who received stickers as rewards (N = 51) showed a marginally significant labeling effect. I propose that the symbolic stimuli reallocated participants' attention from the attractive properties of the rewards to the rewards' quantities, allowing them to delay self-gratification.