VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Learning styles and personality traits associated with student success at the grade 9 level in an individualized study program

The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate the importance of learning styles and personality traits associated with successful grade 9 students in a self-paced and individualized mastery learning program. The results of the study are intended to assist prospective students and their parents in the evaluation of whether this program is suitable for their needs. The following conclusions were reached after the analysis of the data: (1) Programmed Instruction, Peer Teaching, Independent Study and Discussion were the preferred learning styles of the subjects in this study. (2) With respect to personality traits, successful students in the individualized program tend to be more abstract-thinking, enjoy high emotional stability, and show low excitability, high conformity and low apprehension. This has significant implications in many facets of the Individualized Program including curriculum design, the Teacher Adviser role and enrollment considerations.
Computational blood flow modelling in realistic arterial geometries

Computational blood flow modelling in patient-specific arterial geometries is a powerful tool for examining the correlation between haemodynamics and vascular diseases. A popular method for obtaining such patient-specific geometries is medical imaging. Haemodynamic modelling in arterial geometries constructed from such images is a relatively new technique, and there are questions regarding its accuracy and utility. This thesis addresses several of these questions. A methodology for reconstructing 3-D finite element models from medical images was developed. The methodology was validated using a straight tube and a carotid bifurcation flow-through phantom, each of which was imaged, computer reconstructed, and used for steady and unsteady flow modelling. In the second phase of this work, an anatomically realistic end-to-side anastomosis geometry was reconstructed and then successively idealized so as to examine the effects of model idealization on flow and wall shear stress fields. Although quantitative wall shear stress was very sensitive to local geometry, substantial simplification of out-of-plane curvature, surface features and local arterial calibre changes could be made to a model before 'significant' qualitative changes in wall shear stress was seen. In the third phase of the work, a comparison was made between arterial models of rabbit aorto-iliac bifurcations obtained from 'in vivo' MR images and models obtained from two common post-mortem tissue processing techniques: vascular casting and pressure fixation. These experiments indicated that different methods of obtaining a description of the same artery can produce significantly different model geometries and wall shear stress fields. ' In vivo' MR provides a more reliable description of overall arterial geometry than the postmortem techniques; however, specific arterial dimensions may not be as accurately replicated by reconstruction of 'in vivo' MR images. These results suggest that, while patient-specific modelling of ' in vivo' haemodynamics is possible, there are important potential inaccuracies. Further, in the absence of patient-specific disease localization, idealized models provide sufficient haemodynamic information for correlating disease sites with flow features.
Space, land-use planning and the household economy, the role of urban agriculture in the Accra metropolitan area, Ghana

The implementation of the Structural Adjustment Program have brought untold hardship to millions of urban residents in Ghana to the point of undermining their social safety nets. In response to growing economic hardship, an increasing number of residents in Accra are resorting to urban cultivation as a means of meeting their household needs. Information obtained from a field survey reveals that urban cultivation in Accra contributes, significantly, to the household economy of the practitioners in the form of providing food, generating income, reducing household budget, recycling household wastes, and abating floods. The research also demonstrates that the extent to which urban cultivation is beneficial to urban farmers differs on the basis of gender, household income, garden location and land security. The study identifies critical variables in Accra that have influenced the evolution of farming in the metropolis over the years. Such variables could be described as either prohibitive, discouraging or encouraging to urban agriculture. In addition, the research identifies various institutional constraints on urban agriculture and how they have hindered the swift growth of urban cultivation in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA). But the good news is that, urban agriculture in Accra is a mobile activity, and has evolved a series of adaptive responses to these threats. The research finds that variations in land value, distance of urban gardens from the CBD and land tenure arrangement go a long way to influence a gardener decisions on what to produce, where to produce, who produces, when to produce and why to produce. This research has also demonstrated that urban cultivation in Accra is not a temporary, stop-gap measure to combat food scarcity, but a permanent initiative on the part of the urban poor to improve their standard of living; in other words, urban agriculture in Accra is a long-term phenomenon which reflects a transformation of the urban landscape to the realities of urban needs and priorities. To promote urban cultivation in Accra, the author suggests means of incorporating urban agriculture into the urban management of Accra through policy formulation, land-use zoning, institutional regulations and infrastructural development.
Transcriptional regulation of the rat bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene

BSP is a major protein of the mineralized matrix of bone that has been implicated in the nucleation of hydroxyapatite crystal formation during ' de novo' osteogenesis. To study mechanisms that regulate BSP gene transcription serial deletion constructs of the rat BSP promoter ligated to a luciferase gene were prepared for transient transfection assays. While tissue-specific regulation could not be demonstrated for these constructs, a 2.7 kb promoter construct incorporated into the genome of transgenic mice was developmentally regulated in osteogenic tissues. Transient transfections, were also used to demonstrate that a perfectly inverted TATA box (5'-TTTATA-3') 19 bp upstream of the BSP promoter was functional. The inverted TATA box bound recombinant TATA-binding protein (TBP) and directed downstream transcription, demonstrating that orientation of the TATA box does not necessarily determine the direction of transcription in eukaryotic genes. Notably, TBP binding was retained when the inverted TATA sequence was mutated to produce a canonical TATA sequence and transcriptional activity was increased ~30%. Since a putative vitamin D3 response element (VDRE) overlapped the inverted TATA box, subsequent studies were directed at the characterization of this VDRE. In transient transfection assays, vitamin D3 suppressed transcription 30 ~ 50% in all constructs, including a short construct encompassing the TATA/VDRE and an inverted CCAAT box. Moreover, gel mobility shift assays showed strong homodimer binding of hVDR to this site. Conversion of the TATA box to the canonical sequence did not influence vitamin D3 regulation, demonstrating that the inverted TATA box was not required to accommodate the VDRE. However, while a point mutation abrogated hVDR binding, the effect on transcription was not significant, indicating that the complete VDRE may include two additional half-sites that flank the central VDRE. The inverted CCAAT box was shown to be the target of src signalling, indicating a possible pathway for BSP induction in transformed cells. Transcription of BSP promoter constructs containing the CCAAT box was increased 3 ~ 5 fold when cells were co-transfected with a v-src expression vector. Using GMS analysis NF-Y and a second protein, ß, were identified as the likely targets of src regulation. Collectively, these studies have identified several cis-acting elements in the proximal promoter through which transcription of BSP may be regulated.
Flow field measurements in the plane of symmetry of a 90-degree curved vessel using laser photochromic velocimetry

Laser photochromic velocimetry (LPV) together with novel data analysis techniques were developed and used to estimate flow variables in the plane of symmetry of a 90° curved pipe with a curvature ratio of 1/6. Insights on the flow physics were obtained experimentally as well as numerically and theoretically. LPV results were obtained with a fully developed inlet flow for Reynolds numbers 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 1500. A local least squares two-dimensional polynomial interpolation method was used to estimate flow variables including the velocity, vorticity, divergence and pressure fields as well as the wall shear stress. All LPV results for Reynolds number 250 compared well with numerical results. With increasing Reynolds numbers, additional axial and radial velocity peaks developed downstream of the main peaks normally associated with developing Dean-type flows. Velocity and divergence fields also showed the development of a second vortex pair embedded within the larger Dean-type double helical vortices. For all Reynolds numbers, the location of a local peak in vorticity data was found to coincide with the location of the second axial and radial velocity peaks. Approximations of the pressure drop from the entrance to the exit of the curved vessel were estimated and the corresponding effective friction factors were calculated. The divergence in the plane of symmetry has been quantified theoretically from continuity and Dean's solution for fully developed flow in a slightly curved pipe. Experimental and numerical results for flow in the 90° curved vessel at a Reynolds number of 250 agree quantitatively with the theoretical results.
The architectural design of ILUTE, an integrated dynamic microsimulation modeling framework

This thesis describes the object-oriented analysis and design of the framework for a large-scale, activity-based microsimulation model of urban land use and transportation. The goal of the Integrated Land Use, Transportation, Environment (ILUTE) model is to capture the interactions between transportation, land use, and environmental issues. The final framework is a flexible environment where individual sub-models can easily be incorporated and tested.
Facies architecture and stratigraphic heterogeneity in glacial deposits and their relation to hydrogeologic function

Glacial deposits are characterized by considerable stratigraphic heterogeneity but existing 'first generation' facies models are based almost exclusively on one-dimensional vertical profile descriptions of widely-spaced boreholes and outcrops. Such models do not adequately predict the three-dimensional geometry and heterogeneity of sedimentary facies for hydrogeologic purposes. This thesis demonstrates alternative approaches to the description of glacial deposits which integrate surface and downhole geophysical methods with architectural element analysis (AEA) of borehole data and outcrops. These methods are applied to better resolve the sedimentary architecture and hydrogeologic function of thick (>200 m) Late Pleistocene strata in southern Ontario. AEA photomosaics of well exposed Pleistocene outcrops were integrated with an extensive subsurface GIS database consisting of drill core (>2300 m), downhole geophysical logs (natural gamma, EM conductivity) and shallow seismic reflection profiles (>12 line km) collected within a 1380 km 2 area east of Toronto. The basin stratigraphy consists of thick Late Wisconsin tills and intervening interstadial deposits overlying older glaciolacustrine sediments. Three primary aquifer systems were identified and large-scale trends in hydrogeologic parameters (hydraulic heads, transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity) were mapped. Aquifers are confined by finer-grained till deposits, including a thick (up to 60 m) regionally-extensive till member (Northern till) previously described as a homogeneous, highly impermeable aquitard. AEA and seismic reflection profiling in contrast, identify a composite internal till stratigraphy and the presence of heterogeneities over several length scales. Three principal architectural element types are identified: tabular ' diamict elements' (DE), sorted sediment 'interbeds' (I) and 'deformed zones' (DZ) of complexly glaciotectonized strata. Architectural elements are defined by laterally extensive 4 th and 5th order bounding erosion surfaces and their correlative conformities; lower order surfaces define small-scale intra-element heterogeneities, including sorted sediment lenses, minor erosion surfaces and diamict 'increments'. Accumulation of the Northern till involved aggradation of diamict elements punctuated by periods of non-deposition and subglaciofluvial reworking of till to form sorted interbeds. AEA identifies drumlins as 'macroforms ' resulting from aggradation of diamict elements across a pre-existing drumlinized erosion surface. Interbeds and intra-element heterogeneities provide primary pathways for groundwater and contaminants through the Northern till; the lateral continuity (>103 m2) and interconnectedness of interbeds suggests a stair-case groundwater flow mechanism.
Enzymatic modification of kenaf pulp

Kenaf pulp was treated with the commercial enzymatic mixture Pergalase A40 in three separate trials: (1) varying level of initial freeness; (2) varying treatment time; and (3) varying enzyme concentration. Following 30 minutes treatment at optimum enzyme concentration (0.02 ml of enzyme per 10 g o.d. pulp) freeness of highly beaten pulp increased by 65%, while freeness of unbeaten pulp increased by only 3%. The most rapid increase occurred over the first 30 minutes of treatment. Thirty minutes treatment at optimum enzyme concentration did not decrease strength except tear, measurements of viscosity, zero-span breaking length, opacity, scattering coefficient and bonding contribution indicated decreased fiber strength without inter-fiber bonding being affected. The concentration of cellobiose and glucose, sugars released during treatment, increased linearly, reaching the maximum of 1.1 weight % of treated pulp. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis revealed cleaning of the fiber surface following treatment.
The rat bone marrow stromal cell osteoginic system, characterization of subpopulations, fractionation, and effects of PDGF

The objective of this thesis was to better define and characterize the heterogeneous cellular environment of the rat bone marrow (RBM) stromal cell osteogenic system. I began by identifying and quantifying the major subpopulations present when RBM stromal cells are grown under conditions stimulating bone formation, ie., supplementation with dexamethasone (dex). As expected, dex significantly increased the number of alkaline phosphatase (AP) positive colonies and von Kossa positive bone nodules, but concomitantly stimulated the number of macrophage colonies, while reducing the number of hemopoietic cells expressing leukocyte common antigen. Since the presence of these multiple cell types may complicate determination of mechanisms of regulation of the osteoprogenitors, we next investigated methods for purification of the osteoblast lineage cells. Flow cytometric sorting performed on the basis of AP expression resulted in APhigh and APlow fractions of cells: within the APhigh fraction, the number of AP-positive colonies and bone nodules were significantly enriched. Adipocyte and macrophage colonies were significantly depleted in the APhigh fraction and consistently enriched in the APlow fraction of cells. Finally, I investigated the effect of PDGF, a factor produced in abundance by macrophages, in fractionated and unfractionated RBM stromal populations. While stimulating proliferation and differentiation of the macrophage and adipocytic lineages, PDGF had dose- and time-dependent biphasic effects on bone nodule formation, stimulating at low doses and at early stages of osteoblast differentiation but inhibiting at high doses and later; suggesting that PDGF has pleiotropic effects on bone metabolism, and that its effects on bone might be direct on osteoblast lineage cells. Together, my data validate methods for enrichment of osteoprogenitors in RBM stromal cultures and provide a stronger basis for investigating the nature of their regulation by hormones, cytokines, and growth factors.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor subtype 1 and subtype 2 mRNA expression and protein localization in the myometrium in pregnancy

The human placenta secretes increasing concentrations of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in late pregnancy and in labour. CRH has been implicated in the regulation of myometrial contractility. We hypothesized that CRH receptors, CRH-R1 and CRH-R2, mRNA in the myometrium would be upregulated in labour. Myometrial samples were collected from nonpregnant, pregnant and laboring patients from the upper and lower uterine segment. CRH-R1 mRNA and protein were downregulated with pregnancy and significantly upregulated at labour. This rise appeared to be exclusive to the lower segment. CRH-R2 mRNA did not change. Rats have been used extensively to study the regulation of CRH receptors. We examined CRH receptor mRNA in rat myometrium. CRH-R1 mRNA was undetectable. CRH-R2 mRNA was significantly increased at labour concomitant with a rise in connexin 4; mRNA, a gap junction protein associated with labour. In conclusion, at the time of labour CRH-R1 mRNA is upregulated in the human but in the rat CRH-R2 mRNA is upregulated.
Walking skill versus walking experience as a predictor of barrier crossing in toddlers

The aim of the current study was to examine the roles of locomotor experience, walking skill, and body size parameters in determining the abilities of 18- and 24-month-old toddlers in crossing a barrier varying in height. Thresholds for barrier crossing were measured using a modified psychophysical staircase procedure. Overall, older children surpassed younger children in measures of locomotor experience, body size and crossing thresholds; in contrast, few differences were observed in walking skill. Analyses relating the various experiential, size and skill parameters to crossing thresholds revealed that, replicating earlier findings, barrier crossing was most strongly related to locomotor experience. These findings are discussed in terms of the limitations of different forms of skill assessment as predictors of visually guided locomotor ability.
Biological conversion of metal-laden sludge to sulphur enhanced biosolids

Options such as land filling, incineration and ocean dumping, for the disposal of municipal sludges are becoming increasingly restricted. With the public's interest in preserving natural resources through more recycling and beneficial reuse, application of decontaminated sludge, or biosolids, to land remains one of the preferred options for its management. Unfortunately, heavy metal contamination can often restrict or prohibit land application of untreated sludge. Chemical methods of metal extraction from sludges have been shown to be uneconomical. A biological process, exploiting the presence of indigenous sulphur-oxidizing bacteria that use elemental sulphur as the energy source, has been developed in recent years. However, environmental problems such as soil acidification could occur on land application of the biosolids, due to acid generation from the residual sulphur. In this study, a biological process, with sulphur and iron (ferrous) as energy sources, was examined for controlling residual sulphur during metal removal from anaerobically digested municipal sludge. The results of the study show that a batch process was not very effective for the purpose. Control of sulphur addition during this batch process often led to nitrite formation and accumulation which inhibited sulphur-oxidizing bacteria, especially the acidophilic, leading to higher residual sulphur concentrations in the biosolids. A sulphur addition of 1.5 g/L and a retention time of 14 days in the batch process limited the residual sulphur in the decontaminated biosolids to around 500 mg/L and achieved efficient solubilization of Zn, Cd and Ni. For the solubilization of copper, however, a longer residence time and/or sulphur concentration was required. A continuous process was much more effective than the batch process. The low pH of operation (<4.0) during the continuous process avoided nitrite accumulation and subsequent inhibition of sulphur oxidation. At an HRT of 14 days and S-addition of 1.5g/L, S-oxidation efficiency of around 80% was achieved, leaving only around 300 mg/L sulphur as residual. The solubilization efficiencies for Cu, Zn, Ni and Cd were 47, 94, 44 and 61% respectively. The resulting low concentration of residual sulphur is not expected to be detrimental to soil properties on land application of these soil-conditioning sulphur- enhanced biosolids. On the contrary, the sulphur concentration of these biosolids can be an added benefit as a nutrient for sulphur deficient soils.
Frequency- and hypertrophy-mediated alterations in twitch force and intracellular calcium transients in rat cardiac trabecula

The purpose of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of the frequency ($\nu$)- and hypertrophy-dependent alterations in the kinetics of twitch force (F) and Ca$\sp{2+}$ transient. F, (Ca$\sp{2+}\rbrack\sb{\rm i}$ (by Fura-salt) and pH$\sb{\rm i}$ (by SNARF-AM) were measured in long and thin rat cardiac trabeculae. We found that in control rats, the rapid ($\sim$1 sec) $\nu$-dependent TD shortening was not caused by the intracellular Ca$\sp{2+}$-activated kinases (e.g. CaM/Kinase, PKG and PKA) nor by the rate-dependent decrease in pH$\sb{\rm i}.$ We demonstrated that the rate of force relaxation is regulated by the contractile filaments and not entirely by the intracellular C$\sp{2+}$ handling, at low and high $\nu.$ Therefore, we propose that the mechanism responsible for the rate-dependent TD abbreviation was at the level of the contractile proteins and not the Ca$\sp{2+}$-handling. Cardiac hypertrophy caused significant decrease of F, increase of (Ca$\sp{2+}$) $\sb{\rm i}$, and prolongation of TD, but prolongation of CaD was not statistically significant. The positive phase of the F-$\nu$ was not observed, whereas the $\nu$-dependent linear increase in the peak (Ca$\sp{2+}\rbrack\sb{\rm i}$ and decrease in TD and CaD were not diminished in the hypertrophic compared to the control rats.
Re/negotiating Home(s), identities, racism(s) and resistance in the lives of second generation Filipinas in Canada

This study examines how second generation Filipinas develop a sense of "home" and belonging in Canadian society. It argues that notions of "home" are tied to how one understands experiences of racism as well as identity. I investigate such experiences in the schooling context to understand how second generation Filipinas are also affected and influenced by the national discourse of multiculturalism. By examining the lived experiences of these girls, I reach the conclusion that racial groups in society are differentially racialized. For second generation Filipinas, their everyday realities are defined by "ambivalence" as they simultaneously resist and conform to the dominant culture. But it is in these spaces of ambivalence that acts of transgression are made possible.