VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Canada's day of atonement, the Contemporary Native Literary Renaissance, the Native Cultural Renaissance and post-centenary Canadian mythology

Little attention has been paid to the Contemporary Native Literary Renaissance (CNLR) and the Native Cultural Renaissance (NCR) of the 1960s and 1970s in Canada. As well, there has been little consideration of the manner in which this Renaissance has affected non-Native Canadian literature. However, this dissertation attempts to prove that the CNLR and the NCR have affected both contemporary Canadian mythologies and the criticism of Native literatures in Canada. This dissertation relies more on the principles of storytelling than theory to make its suggestions. It immerses itself in a story which surfaced in the nineteenth century in Canada and which I have called Canada's "search for a sacred mythology." It then draws connections between this story and later manifestations of this story in post-centenary, non-Native Canadian mythologies and the criticism surrounding Tomson Highway and his work in order to suggest that contemporary modifications of this story indicate that Eurocentric negotiations with pan-Canadianism, or nationalism, show an anxiety with contemporary aboriginal influence. When I do rely on theory, I rely heavily on Northrop Frye, and I create both a large pan-Canadian "centre" and pan-Indian "centre" to account for mythological change and cultural exchange. While such centres do not exist, and while post-structuralist theories could easily dismantle the binary which I have created, my methodology has allowed me to search for large mythological changes, and my three most noteworthy findings are the following: (1) given time, it may be possible to suggest that Canadian history has become a contemporary trickster which has been born out of contemporary, reductive notions of the sacred and profane, or reductive understandings of "Native culture" and the "Canadian nation," respectively; (2) contemporary attempts to justify this nation's beginnings are often arrested in traumatic recall of the holocaust which has happened here; and (3) that self-reflexivity which is found in post-centenary Canadian mythologies, as well as in the criticism surrounding Tomson Highway, might be attributable to the social and political fervor of the NCR, which rekindled an awareness of the importance of participation between speakers and listeners, and/or the formal characteristics of Native oral literatures.
Three essays on the risk and distribution of a portfolio's future losses

This Ph.D. dissertation contains three individual and internally related essays. The first essay applies the least-squares Monte-Carlo (LSM) methodology to derive the distribution of the exotic option values at a future time. LSM presents a powerful statistical procedure that efficiently yields derivative distributions for exotic options that do not possess analytic solutions. By means of several examples, using options with closed-from solutions, this essay demonstrates the ability of LSM to produce excellent estimates of derivative distribution at a reasonable computational cost. The second and third essays compare two of the major credit risk portfolio models used by two prominent financial companies: J. P. Morgan's CreditMetrics and Credit Swiss First Boston's CreditRisk+. The second essay compares the two models from a methodological and an empirical point of view. Factor Analysis is utilized to link the different input data employed by these two models. The third essay creates a hypothetical world in which the true transition matrices are known so that a benchmark distribution of portfolio loss is derived to evaluate the model's performance. The results suggest that despite the fact that the recommendations made by each approach to a financial institution trying to determine how much economic capital to hold is different, these two models perform equally well when credit-rating-change risk is eliminated from the CreditMetrics approach.
Vehicle re-identification based on inductance signature matching

A five-level optimization method was developed in previous research to solve vehicle reidentification problem based on vehicle signature waveforms collected by the Inductive Loop Detectors (ILDs) [2]. This research was focused on the fourth level, i.e. distance measurement. It was attempted to develop some advanced distance measures to complement the previously used ones and improve the reidentification accuracy level. Raw data files, i.e. signature files, were received from the University of California Irvine to be further analysed at the University of Toronto. Several new distance measures were used to match the normalized waveforms that proved to be outperforming previous features. Other approaches such as horizontal shifting of the waveforms, Back Propagation Neural Networks, and the effect of upstream window size were also attempted.
Implementing a process writing unit in a grade one French immersion classroom: A case study of writing skills and attitudes toward writing

This study analyses the impact of an approach to teaching writing, that incorporates elements and strategies of process writing skills and attitudes of grade one French immersion students. The students' abilities to write recount (the retelling or recounting of personal past experiences) in a friendly letter format, was what formed the basis of this study. Seventeen students taught by the teacher-researcher, participated in the study. All students completed letter-writing activities over an eight-week period. The first and last writing assignments were collected to assess growth in writing skills. Pre- and post-study attitude questionnaires were administered to the students to determine if there had been any change in their attitudes toward writing. The results of this study support the implementation of process writing strategies in grade one French immersion, since significant gains were found in student writing skills, and student attitudes toward writing improved.
Clearing a space for human action, towards an ethical ontology in the early theology of Karl Barth

Recently a suggestion has been put forward by J. B. Webster that very early in Barth's theology he is "clearing the field" of false descriptions of the human agent with a view to establishing a more theological account. The present thesis attempts to test this suggestion with a view to a revised understanding of Barth's theological anthropology which takes into account this early clearing of the theological ground. It does so by focusing primarily on selected portions of Barth's literary corpus from 1916-1930 and then drawing lines of continuity with the 'Kirchliche Dogmatik III '/''2 and 'IV'/'4'. Chapter I is given over to a review of the history of the interpretation of Karl Barth's anthropology, identifying the work of J. B. Webster as the best way forward in a revised understanding of Barth's development in this regard. Chapter II turns specifically to three early lectures, contained in ' The Word of God and the Word of Man', with a view to ascertaining Barth's initial attitude towards human ethical agency. The conclusion to this Chapter tends to support the suggestion that Barth is concerned with a right ordering of the God-human relationship rather than an obliteration of the independent status of the human agent. Chapter III carries the argument forward through a focus on the ' Römerbrief I' and 'II', the 'Lectures on Calvin' and the 'Göttingen Dogmatics I'. Once again Barth's concern can be seen as a proper theological construal of the human subject as a recipient of and respondent to the grace of God which places the human in the proper sphere, where human action and freedom can be affirmed from a reformed perspective. Chapter IV extends the discussion into an investigation of Barth's ' Ethik I' and 'II', and the theological basis for ethics offered in his lectures on 'The Holy Spirit and the Christian Life '. These works are the end products of a movement initiated in 1914 and issue in a call for a revised understanding of the doctrine of God and man as well as an insistence on the co-inherence of dogmatics and ethics. This emphasis on the right ordering of the relationship between God and humanity as agents in relation finds its final expression in Barth's formal treatment of anthropology in 'KD III'/'2' &sect;44.3 and 'KD IV'/4'' &sect;75.1-2; &sect;76.3. There one can observe the fruition of Barth's determination to properly understand the nature of the God-human relationship. The result is a theological anthropology which is affirmative of the human agent within the sphere of God's grace. This is the essence of what it means to be a human agent. It has always been Barth's concern to show that "God and the daybreak of our reality belong together."
Privacy, confidentiality and genetic databases, a modified rights approach

The Human Genome Project has the potential to bring about enormous benefits to medicine. Large scale databases of genetic information and material serve an important function in advancing the knowledge brought about by the Human Genome Project. Such databases raise concerns for group and individual privacy. This thesis advocates that a modified rights approach to privacy ought to underlie the legal regulation of genetic databases. A purely individualistic rights approach towards the protection of privacy is not appropriate for the regulation of genetic information. The modified rights approach takes account of the familial and social nature of genetic information whilst recognizing the inherent importance of privacy. The extent to which the current law, including the Human Rights Act 1998 achieves this approach is considered. Account is taken of the Select Committee of the House of Lords Report, "Human Genetic Databases, Challenges and Opportunities".
Mesostructure quantification of fibre-reinforced composites

Computer-aided image processing techniques are developed to determine the position of fibre from a cross-section image. Two-dimensional mesostructure information is obtained by constructing Voronoi Diagrams. Fibre misalignment and fibre waviness are analyzed from the images in successive sections. Three laboratory-made samples, including carbon-epoxy pultrusion, carbon-PEEK laminate, glass-epoxy laminate, are tested. A composite sample from Bombardier Aerospace and a multi-layer filament-wound tube from FRE Composites are also examined. The paths of fibres in carbon-epoxy pultrusion sample are traced individually and fitted as sinusoidal functions. Misalignment angle distribution is also measured and it is found that it can be used to estimate the fibre waviness. In the analysis of the commercial filament-wound tube, an increasing trend of waviness from the outside layer to the inside layer is found. Methods for quantifying fibre spatial regularity and fibre movement synchronization are proposed. From the two-dimensional mesostructure of the materials examined, it is found that high volume fraction gives more uniform fibre packing and more synchronized fibre movement.
The role of SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase in modulating lymphocyte signaling cascades

The importance of phosphatases in regulating intracellular signaling has recently been realized by the identification and characterization of various families of phosphatases. In particular, the protein tyrosine phosphatases occupy a prominent role in regulating protein tyrosine kinase mediated signaling events. In this regard, the SH2 domain containing cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 has been implicated in the downregulation of signaling cascades in haemopoietic cells. Herein, we report that SHP-1 can directly regulate the Src protein tyrosine kinase p60 c-Src. We have demonstrated that Src isolated from platelets and T cells is preferentially dephosphorylated at its inhibitory phosphotyrosine site by the SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase. This represents the first biochemical evidence that SHP-1 can also function as a positive signal regulator. Furthermore, we have also tried to elucidate the role of SHP-1 in the signaling of the surface comodulators CD19 and CD5, on B and T cells respectively. With respect to SHP-1 and CD19 signaling, we demonstrate an indirect role for SHP-1 and present data revealing the capacity of SHP-1 to dephosphorylate the Lyn autophosphorylation site. This data provides strong evidence that SHP-1 functions also include the negative regulation of the Lyn kinase activation in B cells. Finally, given the recent biochemical evidence for CD5 and SHP-1 interaction, we investigated the biochemical and physiological relevance of the two signaling proteins in the context of T cell development and activation. By utilizing HY-TCR and HY-TCR CD5 over-expressing transgenic mice crossed with the SHP-1 deficient motheaten mice, we first examined the role of SHP-1 in T cell development. Herein we report that SHP-1 function also includes the down regulation of both positive and negative T cell selection. With respect to CD5, we report that although CD5 can down modulate the T cell selection process, our findings suggest that this can be achieved independent of SHP-1. Taken together, these studies provide novel insights into the mechanisms whereby SHP-1 modulates antigen receptor signaling. SHP-1, by virtue of its ability to regulate protein tyrosine kinase activity and membrane co-receptors represents a protein tyrosine phosphatase occupying a pivotal role in the translation of antigen receptor signals to such biological outcomes as proliferation, transformation, and selection.
Transient effects of fire flow on distribution systems

Fire flows have a significant impact on the design and operation of a water distribution system. Transient pressure surges are initiated by the operation of a hydrant and by the development of an abnormal water demand for fire fighting. Fire flows can create additional localized stress on the distribution network and may induce undesirable areas of low pressures, which may be either transient or sustained in nature. Many factors contribute to the intensity of transient surges including the size and layout of the network, the location of the operating hydrant, the hydrant valve operation, the supply or delivery rate, the presence of multiple hydrant operations, the water carrying capacity of the network, and the pipeline material. The Insurance Services Office method provides a good estimate for fire flow rates and many agencies endorse this method. The role of computer simulation and optimization helps greatly to evaluate all aspects of a distribution system.
Aeroelastic Analysis of the Langley Aerodrome

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if the cause of failure of the Langley Aerodrome was aeroelastic divergence, and to determine whether the wing was structurally capable supporting the aircraft in level flight. An understanding of the aerodynamics and structural properties of the Langley Aerodrome Wing was necessary to complete this thesis. Wind-tunnel tests of a scale model of the wing provided the aerodynamic results that were later used to determine the wing loads. The tests included force and pressure measurements, and flow visualization. The finite-element package ANSYS was used to analyze the structure for aeroelastic divergence. A model of the Langley Aerodrome wing was built in ANSYS out of beam and truss-type elements. This model was also analyzed for failure due to buckling and yielding. The ANSYS wing model did not show signs of aeroelastic divergence at the launch speed, although it did deform. Parts of the Langley wing were found to be buckling or near buckling. Other parts had high stresses in them that would have caused the material to yield. The above results indicate that the Langley Aerodrome was not structurally capable of level flight since the wings could not support the aerodynamic loads. Even if this failure would not have occurred, it appears that even a stable aeroelastic deformation would give rise to a trim state for the aircraft that was unstable.
Investigating the hepatotoxicity of Callilepis laureola, Impila, a South African traditional herbal medicine

'Purpose'. (1) To investigate the effect of ' Impila' on cytoviability and intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels in HepG2 cells 'in vitro'; (2) to determine if N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can prevent 'Impila' toxicity; (3) to compare the toxic effects of 'Impila' with those of atractyloside (ATR); and (4) to determine if a metabolite contributes to 'Impila' toxicity. 'Design and methods'. Cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of an aqueous extract of 'Impila' or pure ATR over different time periods (15 min to 48 h). Cytotoxicity and total intracellular GSH content were measured using the MTT and Tietze assay, respectively. 'Results'. 'Impila' produced significant cytotoxicity and GSH depletion in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. NAC prevented 'Impila'-induced GSH depletion and resulted in a significant decrease in cytotoxicity. Pure ATR had no effect on cytoviability or GSH content in HepG2 cells. Pre-treatment with the cytochrome P450 inactivator, 1-aminobenzotriazole had no effect on 'Impil'a cytotoxicity. 'Conclusions'. Our results suggest the mechanism of ' Impila'-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells 'in vitro' involves a depletion of cellular GSH, and is independent of the effects of ATR. Preventing GSH depletion by supplementing cells with NAC reduces cytotoxicity. The role of an active metabolite in 'Impila'-induced cytotoxicity requires further investigation.
Phonological awareness in Cantonese ESL students

According to the Contrastive Analysis, Differential Markedness and the Feature Competition hypotheses, specific features disparate between L1 and L2 may engender negative transfer in L2 learners, often instantiated as errors in their perception and production. In ESL learners, L1 interference would occur specifically in acquiring disparate features in L2, or positive transfer would occur for equivalent and similar features. The resulting developmental process in L2 phonology in ESL learners will thus be disparate from that of L1 English speakers. Different performances on phonological tasks by L1 and L2 children at different times in the present study provide support for different developmental patterns of awareness of English phonology. Evidence of an L1 effect was found in the positive transfer on rhyme discrimination and negative transfer on phoneme alliteration and blending in the L2 group. Theoretical implications as well as implications for programming, teaching and assessment for ESL students are discussed.
Cloning and characterization of the human CD200 promoter region

We previously reported that expression of CD200 was increased in animals rendered specifically hyporesponsive to organ and tissue allografts. Using monoclonal antibodies to this molecule, and a soluble immunoadhesin prepared from it, evidence was accumulated supporting the hypothesis that CD200 provided immunoregulatory signals to the immune system, in opposition to those delivered by the so-called costimulatory molecules, CD40, CD80/CD86 (amongst others). We hypothesized that systematic application of regimens to augment immunoregulation by CD200 would depend upon our understanding potential differences in the transcriptional and translational regulation of expression of these molecules. The work described in this thesis outlines a characterization of the human promoter region for CD200. During these studies an additional exon was defined. The promoter described 5' of this new exon 1 was mapped and its activity was confirmed. Detailed mapping studies confirm a number of potentially important cis-acting regulatory elements in the promoter region.
E3 ubiquitin protein ligase complexes that regulate G1-phase in budding yeast

Commitment to the mitotic cell cycle occurs in late G1-phase, at a transition point called Start in budding yeast. The rate-limiting G1 cyclins (Cln1, 2, 3) trigger passage through Start by activating the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) Cdc28. A periodic wave of G1 cyclin-CDK activity at the Start is achieved through the induction of cyclin gene expression coupled with the rapid degradation of cyclin proteins. This thesis describes my research into the role of regulated ubiquitin mediated proteolysis of the G1 cyclins and other cell cycle regulators in progression through Start. Enzymes of the ubiquitin pathway transfer ubiquitin to the target protein in an E1 [right arrow] E2 [right arrow] E3 enzymatic cascade. Multiple rounds of ubiquitination tag the target with a poly-ubiquitin chain, which is recognized by the 26S proteasome, and the protein is rapidly degraded. E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes function to direct the transfer of ubiquitin from the ubiquitin E2 protein to the target substrate. In Chapter 2, I show that the protein Cdc53 is required for the degradation of the G1 cyclin Cln2. I also demonstrate that Cln2 instability is independent of B-type cyclin activity and of the CDK inhibitor Sic1, and describe how On instability is essential for proper G1-phase control. In Chapter 3, I describe the isolation of the Cdc53-interacting proteins, Skp1, and the F-box proteins Cdc4 and Met30. Cdc53 assembles with each F-box protein through Skp1, forming multiple E3 ubiquitin ligases called SCF (Skp1-Cdc53-F-box protein) complexes. I show that the F-box protein component of each SCF complex directs E3 complex specificity 'in vivo'. For example, SCFGrr1 specifically targets Cln2 for degradation, while SCFMet30 is specifically required for regulation of the 'MET' gene network. In Chapter 4, I continue the study of one SCF complex, SCFMet30, and demonstrate that it has an essential function in passage through Start. Conditional 'met30'[Delta] mutants arrest as large, unbudded cells with undetectable levels of 'CLN1' and 'CLN2' mRNA transcripts. I suggest that the G1 arrest phenotype of a 'met30 '[Delta] mutant arises from expression of a possible Start "inhibitor" gene under the regulation of the 'MET' gene transcription factor, Met4, which may interfere with accumulation of critical G1-phase mRNA transcripts.