VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The duty to accommodate aging workers in employment

The aging workforce and the prohibition against mandatory retirement may result in employees increasingly working beyond traditional retirement age. However, impairments arising from aging may prevent workers from performing their duties. The employer's duty to accommodate these workers under human rights legislation is examined. First the duty to accommodate is considered in respect of disability in order to determine how courts and tribunals balance employer and employee rights. Then consideration is given to how the duty to accommodate should apply to aging workers, emphasizing why the duty may apply differently to age than disability. It is proposed that the duty to accommodate be narrower in respect of age than disability, either by only requiring that employees be allowed to work as long as they can perform their duties, or by only requiring modifications (possibly to a lesser extent) to the employee's own job but not transfer to another job.
Description of new materials of Ianthasaurus hardestiorum (Eupelycosauria: Edaphosauridae) and a re-evaluation of its phylogenetic relationships

Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, a basal edaphosaurid from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Garnett, Kansas, has been described on the basis of two incomplete, juvenile specimens and a series of disarticulated vertebral elements. New material of this poorly known species includes previously unknown bones and increases knowledge of the anatomy and variation in this taxon. The complete ossification of the neural arches and the overall larger size of the vertebrae relative to those previously described suggests that they were part of an adult individual. Tooth morphology in the marginal dentition more closely resembles that seen in the genus Edaphosaurus. Phylogenetic analysis of edaphosaurid synapsids supports the hypothesis that Ianthasaurus is the sister taxon of all other members of the clade. However, the incomplete fossil record of other referred edaphosaurids such as Lupeosaurus and Glaucosaurus makes full resolution of their phylogenetic interrelationships difficult to assess.
Assessing the impact of measurement error in multilevel models via MCMC methods

The aim of this thesis is to integrate three areas of statistical research---multilevel modeling, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, and measurement error. Three distinct types of multilevel models are considered: random-intercepts models, random-slopes models, and models with complex variation at level-1. These models are fitted using MCMC and maximum likelihood methods and the fits are compared. Finally, the effects of measurement error in predictors are assessed for different reliabilities and adjusted for using MCMC methods. The results indicate that MCMC samplers with non-informative priors produce similar results to maximum likelihood estimates and adjust for measurement error in predictors effectively. In general, MCMC methods give smaller standard errors, making inferential statements more powerful, and facilitate the use of additional information to guide the measurement and regression process. The simulations were performed using S-plus and the multilevel model problems were formulated and solved using MLwiN.

Keywords: Multilevel models (Statistics)
Markov processes
Statistics
Verbatim versus gist processes: mechanisms underlying memory deficits in persons with schizophrenia

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate whether persons with schizophrenia (SCZ) can appropriately utilize verbatim versus gist memory under recall conditions that emphasize one or the other. Ninety minutes after reading a brief prose passage, half of the participants were instructed to recall the story using the title that they were provided at encoding (i.e., same-title condition). The remaining participants were asked to recall the passage using an alternate title (i.e., switch-title condition). Control participants in the switch-title condition produced lower rates of gist intrusions and higher verbatim memory units than the same-title condition. However, SCZ participants demonstrated no change in gist intrusions and lower verbatim units in the switch-title condition. These findings are consistent with previous investigations of SCZ-related verbatim memory deficits, but also suggest impairment in the ability to appropriately deploy memory processes.
PATA: An algorithm for the analysis of microarray alternative splicing experiments

An algorithm for the analysis of data from microarray experiments applied to alternative splicing is proposed. The algorithm uses a probabilistic model to account for observed data and reduce noise in measurements. Unlike prior work, this model is based on the details of the molecular interactions that govern microarray experiments. This decreases the model's data requirements and makes it more accurate than its predecessors. The algorithm is applied to two datasets from independent microarray experiments used in alternative splicing studies. For each dataset, its performance is compared with competing methods, including GenASAP [54]. In all cases, the algorithm outperforms its competitors.
Fish-habitat interactions in a small freshwater lake and the evaluation of a visual census sampling method for the quantification of vertical, littoral zone habitat structure and fish distribution

A visual census method was developed to vertically quantify habitat structure and fish distribution in freshwater lake littoral zones. In the Poorhouse Lake study, several sites were repeatedly sampled to evaluate the fish-habitat interactions when quantified vertically. A temporal gradient explained the most variation in the species data, but a secondary vertical habitat gradient also influenced fish distribution. In the Lake Survey study, several lakes were sampled to test the broader applicability of the vertical visual census method and to compare the observations obtained using it to those obtained using a boat sampling method. Substantial among-observer variability was found using the qualitative boat sampling method. Habitat type influenced among-observer and among-method consistency of habitat characterization. The suitability of the vertical visual census technique can be dependent on the trade-off between the increased sampling effort required and the more detailed, accurate information it can yield.
Fourier-based invariant image descriptors

A new framework for matching images with invariance to rotation is formed. This is done through two novel Global Rotation Invariant Descriptors (GRIDs), based on the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). The two descriptors are generated through the transfbormation of rotation into circular shifts by mapping the images from Cartesian to Polar coordinates. The first GRID is based on the Fourier magnitudes, thus allowing images with similar frequency components to be regarded as similar or identical. Experiments are done to show the performance of the descriptor under a variety of practical conditions including scale change and image compression. The need for a more precise ability to match images leads to the derivation of the second GRID, which incorporates the phase information into a Shift Invariant Signal Transform (SIST). The SIST is once again used on the polar representation of the image to generate an inherently rotation-invariant descriptor. This descriptor is shown experimentally to be extremely sensitive to small variations in the image. To increase the performance of the phase-retaining descriptor, a method for phase quantization and sensitivity relaxation is introduced. Once again experiments are done to show how the descriptor performs under varying practical condition. Finally, the concept of entanglement is introduced as a method of increasing the robustness and performance of the rotation-invariant descriptors.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence
Computer science
Critical practice in youth engagement: Voices of practitioners

In Metro Toronto, since the devastating violence of 2005, increasing awareness of poverty, lack of resources and on-going racism has led to calls for a more holistic approach to youth programming. Youth empowerment has become the focus of new program and policy developments, but these continue to function within a context of widespread safety concerns fostering a contradictory deficiency approach that blames individuals for their shortcomings. My research has confirmed that despite this challenging context, empowering youth work is nevertheless happening in a multiplicity of contexts. Essential and interdependent elements of this practice include engaging with language and media, the importance of reflection, enabling youth voices, and creating respectful spaces. The practice discussed in this thesis demonstrates how critical youth practitioners incorporate all of these elements in varying ways, through creating integral processes involving both reflection and action and simultaneously affirming the individual while raising awareness of the social.

Keywords: Youth with social disabilities, Services for
Youth with social disabilities, Ontario
Race discrimination, Ontario
Engagement (Philosophy)
Youth workers, Attitudes
Youth workers, Ontario
Hydrogen permeation through iron coated nickel electrodes

Nickel electrodes are commonly used in alkaline water electrolysis because of their electrocatalytic behavior to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Nickel is known to deactivate with time due to the formation of a hydride layer from hydrogen penetration into the metal lattice. The hydride layer is less electrocatalytic to the HER, which is indicated by an increase in polarization during constant current operation. Iron, a common impurity in alkaline electrolytes, is known to deposit onto the cathode during electrolysis and reactivate the nickel electrode. This is attributed to an increase in surface area from the iron deposits. In this thesis, the effects of various iron surface layers on nickel electrodes were studied using an electrochemical hydrogen permeation technique. Surface analysis techniques were also used to examine the nickel electrode before and after use. The varied surface coverage of iron showed that nickel hydride forms with an iron coverage less than or equal to 40% iron.
Client physical attractiveness and its contribution to therapy process and outcome

The Physical Attractiveness Stereotype suggests attractive individuals are perceived/treated more positively than unattractive individuals. Research demonstrates that this bias impacts the counselling environment; however, previous studies have been limited in two respects. First, some asked participants to predict client success from a vignette/staged video. Second, others examined therapy with clients but asked counsellors for retrospective ratings of attractiveness and client success, which is problematic due to memory bias. The purpose of the present study was to extend previous work by examining the relationship between an objective measure of attraction with therapy process and outcome measures recorded at the time of therapy for 93 depressed clients. Results demonstrated that in comparison to unattractive clients, clients rated higher on attractiveness showed greater improvements on the SCL-90-R at termination, and had therapists reporting they had been more empathic towards them. Treatment and research implications of these findings are discussed.
Selective cytotoxicity of gammadelta T cells for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Gammadelta T cells have been shown to function in tumor surveillance. Thus, they hold great therapeutic potential as a cell based treatment for CML. This study explores the safety and specificity of gammadelta T cells against CML cell lines to rationalize future clinical trials. gammadelta T cells isolated from 13 healthy volunteers with 97.9%(+/-0.8%) purity were expanded 1000 fold or greater and displayed high levels of cytotoxicity against CML cell lines, even when co-incubated with background PBMCs. Also, no cytotoxicity for autologous PBMCs, its components or hematopoietic progenitors was observed. No reduction in K562eGFP cells was observed in mice following gammadelta T cell infusion, but gammadelta T cells were well tolerated by murine recipients. gammadelta T cells are highly cytotoxic, able to specifically target and eliminate CML clones, while sparing normal hematopoiesis. Further animal studies are required before the potential of using gammadelta T cells in patients can be determined.
African centered education (ACE): an approach to resisting mainstream education

The mainstream educational system often dismisses factors, such as race, class, and gender, and how these categories shape students realities. This research focuses on the saliency of race/skin colour, and how it conditions Black students experiences within educational settings. Through an anti-racist qualitative approach, this project critically examines how Black students, within the mainstream elementary school system, are dismissed from the curriculum. An anti-racist and African centered discursive framework is used as an explanatory tool to locate the narratives of 5 parents, who removed their children from the public school system into an African Centered Education (ACE) program. The parents' narratives show how ACE defies traditional curriculum by providing children with cultural valour, identification, and a sense of history. Also, ACE challenges oppression, and encourages critical thinking. More fundamental, as a means of problematizing traditional education, an ACE program proposes that Black children do not have to occupy the margins.

Keywords: Afrocentrism, Study and teaching
Afrocentrism, Canada
Black Canadians, Education (Elementary)
Black Canadians, Race identity
Discrimination in education, Canada
A rule-based approach to publish/subscribe

Information consumption in large-scale distributed systems is currently inadequate. Information consumers are limited to either polling information producers repeatedly in the hope that their query will eventually be satisfied (Internet searching), or giving a coarse-grained description of the information they desire, and then filtering out the many unwanted pieces of information (newsgroups). Publish/subscribe offers a flexible means of specifying interests, such that the burden of information discovery is lifted from the information consumer. This thesis shows that rule-based algorithms, particularly the Rete algorithm, are well-suited to performing the task of disseminating information from publishers to subscribers. A framework for mapping from the language of rule-based systems to publish/subscribe systems is detailed, and experimental data is presented to confirm that Jess, a rule-based Java implementation of Rete, performs well as the core of an information broker in the distributed publish/subscribe application, PADRES.
How small economies finance high-tech industries: Seeking variance in innovation commercialization

Innovation and technological development are critical for economic development. For this reason many policymakers have made them the basis of industrial policy. Because policymakers perceive benefits from innovation and technology, governments of all ideological dispositions offer a myriad of programs and policies aimed at fostering innovation, ranging from simple contracting and procurement of new products and services, to university-based research funding, and aggressive funding of marketing and commercialization. Scholars of technological development conceptualize innovation as occurring within a system of economic activity. New ideas, new sources of knowledge, the talented people to create and apply the knowledge, and the resources and materiel to harness these ideas into marketable products and services depend upon what is available in the national context where these activities occur. The institutions within a national society that impact on innovation include the system of education, labour markets, and institutions of science and research. Determining what is the ideal combination and shape of institutions within a system of innovation is an important step to maximize innovation and its benefits. A crucial part of a system of innovation is finance, the focus of this dissertation. Finance is the capital supply necessary to invest in equipment, research, people and the methods to bring new products and services to the market. Financial practices deliver the money necessary to set-up a firm and turn ideas into the new products driving innovative economies forward. This dissertation delineates the essential elements of financial systems applied to high-technology innovation, specifically in the information and communications technology sector (ICT), and illustrates through three case studies how these elements engage with what is a strategic sector of the economy. It also puts forward an explanation of how finance has a direct effect on the type of innovations that are commercialized. The cases investigated in this dissertation represent three different national financial systems, but show one main pattern for innovation financing rather than three different patterns, contrary to expectations expressed in the literature related to the topics of innovation and national systems of finance.
The transition to problem-based learning: Nurse educators' experiences in a collaborative BScN program in Ontario

Beginning January 1, 2005, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree becomes the minimal requirement for nursing practice in Ontario, Canada. In response to this legislation, a Collaborative BScN Program was established between McMaster University and Mohawk and Conestoga Colleges. Nurse educators teaching in behaviourist college programs were required to make the transition to a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum. A life history approach was employed to understand the experiences of seven nurse educators making the transition to PBL. Individual and contextual influences on the transition experiences were explored over the course of the educators' careers. Transition experiences were significantly influenced by the educators' evolving conceptions of teaching and the context within which they were teaching. As nursing education reorients towards more student-centered teaching and the BScN as entry to practice, the transition needs of nurse educators cannot be ignored. Faculty development and mentoring opportunities facilitate the transition process, however, only through the creation of a culture in which individuals, teaching and learning are highly valued will an ongoing process of personal growth and learning occur. The college context facilitated the educators' initial teaching experiences, but became a "culture of isolation" over the course of their careers. Educators made a conscious effort to recreate a supportive environment within the college BScN teams. While some educators described supportive and empowering transition experiences, others experienced hierarchical relationships, devaluing communication, and a "fragile" working environment. In looking to the future, educators identified a need for a collaborative identity and increased program ownership. Although educators described a shift from teacher to student-centered conceptions of teaching, this transformation occurred through a self-directed process prior to the formation of the Collaborative BScN Program. Teaching in PBL was described as a "coming home" in which educators' conceptions of teaching were finally consistent with their practice. Faculty development and mentoring opportunities were essential in developing an understanding of PBL, gaining the skills of effective tutors and reinforcing educators' confidence in assuming the tutor role. Although supportive of PBL, educators expressed the need for a jointly developed curriculum integrating the clinical strengths of the college partners.

Keywords: Nurses, Training of
Nurses, Ontario
Educational change, Ontario
Nursing, Study and teaching
Nursing, Ontario
Modernism, postcolonialism, and the experience of place: a study of Samuel Beckett and Derek Walcott

This investigation started with its author's fascination with 20 th century literary modernity. In this context, Samuel Beckett appears to be a writer who pushes the limits of modernity to the edge reinforcing, on the one hand, the tremendous human empowerment that modernity has brought about, and, on the other hand, exposing the deadlock that modernity has reached. Alongside with this, the rise of what is currently labelled as “postcolonial literature” has challenged the old way of approaching the literary phenomenon by adding a new dimension to 20th century modernity. The West Indian experience in particular has proved to be equally fascinating especially since this literature seems to transgress European exhaustion and to refresh a reservoir of ideas which, in the European context, as Beckett consistently shows us, has reached a state of fin-de-siècle decadence. Therefore, this study investigates the shared logic of modernism and postcolonialism under one aspect alone, namely that of “place”. It is the contention of this study that literature evolves around a number of fundamental themes, place being one of them. To this purpose, a comparison between Samuel Beckett and Derek Walcott is, in many ways, more obvious than it may appear initially. As a writer, Derek Walcott represents a unique blend of European tradition and postcolonial innovation. On the other hand, more recently, Samuel Beckett's work, alongside with the work of many other Irish writers, is being reassessed as part of an Irish postcolonial canon. These initial concerns are being addressed in Part One of this study. Part Two looks at the common metaphor “of place as woman”, shared by both modernism and postcolonialism, against the background of Freud's archetypal thinking. Part Three and Part Four discuss the ideas of attachment to place and the need to escape the limitations of place along the lines of Cartesianism, phenomenology, and utopian thinking. The last part of this study, Part Five, discusses theatre as the public place of literature. Through theatre, both these authors take on the role of cultural animators and, as it turns out, theatre becomes the battleground of a cultural debate similar to the one initiated by another great 20th century playwright, namely Bertold Brecht. Finally, this study tries to show that the things that unite us are definitely far more important than the things that divide us and that European modernity and postcolonialism never undermine each other, but, quite on the contrary, play a reciprocal role in the construction of their respective identities.
Development of a modular hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform for synthesis and analysis of robot manipulators

Hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) is a technique that takes some physical components of a system and combines them with a computer simulation of all its remaining aspects. HILS combines many of the advantages of physical and analytical prototyping and has been successfully applied in a wide range of engineering fields. This thesis proposes a generic and modular Robotic Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (RHILS) architecture for the design and testing of robot manipulators and their controllers. The underlying concept of the architecture was fully developed and then implemented for a standard industrial manipulator. This implementation was evaluated against the physical prototype of the robot to determine its capabilities as a simulation and design tool. The RHILS platform performed well and was able to simulate the manipulator under normal and aggressive operating conditions, and exhibited significant potential as a design tool for both the robot and its control unit.